Anthony (Anthony Hopkins) is a proud man adamant that he is capable of taking care of himself as he lives alone in his London flat. His daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) is struggling to provide him with the care that he needs especially as he refuses assistance from anyone but her. 

The Father is an incredibly well constructed view into dementia and the impact it has. The story is told mainly from the perspective of Anthony. As a result our incredibly unreliable narrator presents us with scenes that jumble people, places, events and times. As I was watching the film I found myself approaching it like it was a puzzle to be solved. I was attempting to piece together the sequence of events and the people in them. But as the story unfolded I realised this was not something that could be solved and it brought to mind the relationships I have had and witnessed relating to dementia and I realised just how good a film this was. The Father makes you empathise with Anthony and with Anne as they both face impossibly scary and distressing truths and it’s final moments are truly heartbreaking. 

At the films core is an incredibly impressive performance from Hopkins. The confusion and fear that he experiences often seem to be bubbling up into aggression and it is portrayed so authentically that it places you on edge. Opposite him is the equally excellent Olivia Colman. Her sense of duty and helplessness is palpable and you will desperately want there to be a solution. The film also features pivotal small performances from Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell, Mark Gatiss and Olivia Williams. The latter of which has a deeply effecting scene in the very final moments. 

Based on a play called La Pere by co-writer/director Florian Zeller this is a film that absolutely escapes its roots on the stage. The repetition of scenes from different perspectives is something that I can only imagine is more effective on screen than on stage and Zeller clearly has an affinity for his original material. 

A really poignant and beautiful film and winner of Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay at this years Oscars.