Product Description

Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Release Date: 4-NOV-2008
Media Type: DVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35273 in DVD
• Brand: FIRTH,COLIN
• Released on: 2008-11-04
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 92 minutes

Amazon.com
An outstanding cast gives emotional richness to the father/son memoir When Did You Last See Your Father?. Writer Blake Morrison (Colin Firth), faced with the impending death of his father Arthur (Jim Broadbent, Iris, Topsy-Turvy), reflects back on how the clash of personalities has led them to near alienation. Blake can't forgive his father for small embarrassments and large betrayals--but he also can't let go of the need to understand his father's combination of broad but generous humor and petty egotism. Everyone else in Arthur's life seemed to love him; why can't Blake? The story of When Did You Last See Your Father? is familiar stuff (how often do we need to learn that boisterous fathers and sensitive sons can't communicate?), but Firth, Broadbent, and Juliet Stevenson (Truly Madly Deeply), as Blake's mother, fill in the broad outlines with warmth and nuance. Particular credit goes to newcomer Matthew Beard as Blake's teenage self; Beard vividly captures the vulnerability, yearning, and self-absorption of adolescence. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

Distances and Proximities: Fathers and Sons
Based on an autobiographical memoir by Blake Morrison WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER? is a finely wrought exploration into the delicate issues that both separate and bind fathers and sons. It is difficult for viewers whose fathers are gone not to relate to the profound tenderness and at times difficult reminiscences of their own relationships that remain as both warm and haunting dreams. David Nicholls' adaptation of Morrison's book stresses the character development of both father and son (and the rest of this British family) allowing us to understand the dilemma that faces the main character as he is asked the question that forms the title of this film.

Blake Morrison (Colin Firth) is happily married to Kathy (Gina McKee) and is a successful writer/poet who is preparing to receive an award for his contributions to literature. Present at his ceremony is his father Dr. Arthur Morrison (Jim Broadbent) who is a unique egomaniac whose personality traits affect everyone around him - both positively and negatively. After Blake's acceptance speech his father cannot even manage to say 'well done', instead furthers his comments about Blake's silly decision not to go into medicine and strive instead for the poor life of a writer. A medical emergency tosses Arthur into the hospital, he is diagnosed with terminal cancer: the remainder of the film is a series of vignettes of Blake at his father's bedside accompanied by his mother Kim (Juliet Stephenson) coupled with flashbacks to Blake's childhood (Matthew Beard plays Blake as a teenager) memories that contain moments of confusing father/son incidents as well as Blake's long standing loathing of his fathers affairs with other women such as 'Aunt Beaty' (Sarah Lancashire) and others. As Arthur falls more deeply toward dying, Blake attempts to confront his father with his lifelong perceptions and grievances and the manner in which Blake comes to grips with his feelings for his father completes this film.

Director Anand Tucker orchestrates this story beautifully, blending the gorgeous English countryside with just the right timing between momentary flashbacks and flash forwards to make this film flow and glow with nostalgia. The musical score by Barrington Pheloung wisely incorporates a lovely rendition of Bellini's 'Casta diva' from 'Norma', Bach's G Minor Piano Concerto, and a Schubert trio, which add a timeless dimension to the mood of the film. Jim Broadbent brings off this challenging role with great artistry, as does Colin Firth with his role as Blake. But then the entire cast is well selected from some of England's finest actors. This is an emotional film, a film that will touch men especially, but will also bring resonance with women. Grady Harp, November 08

We'd watch Colin Firth read a phone book, but anything from Anand Tucker is worth seeing
We saw director Anand Tucker's upcoming release "When Did You Last See Your Father?" earlier this spring at Dallas' 'AFI 08' film festival. Tom McCarthy's The Visitor was our favorite out of the eight films we were able to see, but Tucker's latest was a close second. The caveat here is that my wife and I would pay to watch Colin Firth read a phone book. He turns in an especially Firthian performance here, one in which he's forced to deal - with more than a bit of ambivalence - with a dying father (excellent performance by Jim Broadbent). And, my friends, Colin Firth owns ambivalence.

That "we'd watch Colin Firth in anything" statement really isn't fair to director Tucker. His body of work is strong - he did an outstanding job with Steve Martin's Shopgirl, and his effort previous to that - Hilary & Jackie - is a personal favorite and a very underrated film.

One bit of a casting quibble on my part: why is the 51-year-old, still gorgeous Juliet Stevenson playing mother to the 48-year-old, looks-every-bit-his-age Colin Firth? How can you take someone who indelibly played the mother of a 17-year-old Keira Knightley in 2002's Bend It Like Beckham (Full Screen Edition), then turn around and expect us to swallow her as the mother to a 48-year-old only five years later? The whole time those two were on the screen together I was thinking: ummm, Anand? They're the SAME AGE, dude.

When Did You Last See Your Father? DVD Review
Based on a true story from Blake Morrison's autobiographical account of his relationship with his father, When Did You Last See Your Father? becomes a near-tear jerker in the final act. It's a gorgeously shot film that never calls itself out, as the film is subdued and restrained in its approach. Even with rain and mist, the English country sides have never looked prettier.

Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent are superb as the film's anchors. Broadbent's playfulness as the father is offset by Firth's turn as the son, who is introvert and a bit stuffy. The film balances scenes with them, with scenes of Blake as a by growing up. Blake's misunderstanding of his father is played out in a kaleidoscope of memories.

I like the film a lot; with the way it handles how the son never fully understands his father. Through his eyes, he is bold and silly, forcing him into situations he'd rather not be in, like camping or embarrassing him when he's with a girl. The film feels too much like a series of scenes that are only strung together by the appearance of Blake and his father. It isn't until the middle section when it starts to come together in a sad but intelligent way.

His father is quickly dying from cancer and seeing him weak and immobile, Blake asks if he can have one good talk with him soon. He agrees. Will Blake ever have it and settle the issues he has with his father? The film tackles haunting subjects and re-examines the film's title in an interesting way. When was the last time Blake (or us) really seen our father? Was it at the funeral or his sick bed? These questions are answered and are quite emotionally charged.

Even memories are examined again as the director uses some interesting angles captured within mirrors, crafting subtle ways in which to view things from different points of view. When Did You Last See Your Father? is a gripping, soft, subdued film, worthy of your time if you are looking for a well-made drama that isn't afraid of exposing truths within its characters or even perhaps within yourself.

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