Review of And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007) by Leighton T — 26 Aug 2011
Drip by drip as Blake revisits his own life, his father's life is dwindling away. It's a journey back for him, to see his life revealed through his father's actions. So easily the film could've gone for the easy Kleenex lines and scenes, but it makes about this father and son and their relationship, though complicated, into something we can all tap into, especially since we all have fathers or father figures.
Throughout the film, Blake comes to understand his father as human being and not just his father. There does seem to be that moment growing up where we start to recognize them as more than our everyday heroes, but sometimes it takes years, and even death, to come to terms with each little detail in what makes up our parents: what they did for us, how they loved us, and how they lived their own lives in turn (perfect or imperfect).
The two leads, Firth and Broadbent give terrific turns here as father and son, and Matthew Beard, as the young Blake provides a great basis for the adult character. Touching and heartfelt, but honest, and never mawkish in the way it presents itself.
This review of And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007) was written by Leighton T on 26 Aug 2011.
And When Did You Last See Your Father? has generally received positive reviews.
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