When Did You Last See Your Father?

Colin Firth stars in this true, sometimes austere tale as Blake, a writer who discovers his physician father Arthur (Jim Broadbent) is dying of cancer. While caring for him, Blake recalls moments in his early ’60s childhood when his father’s womanizing streak became apparent and his relationship with Arthur became strained. Yet, at the same time, Blake also recognizes his father’s humor and good points. The premise presents difficult material, indeed, especially without the trappings of such father-son movies as Da and Big Fish, both of which used fanciful elements to tell their stories. In When Did You Last See Your Father?, the sincere and powerful storytelling of British director Anand Tucker (Shopgirl) rests on the shoulders of Firth and Broadbent, who are both magnificent in what can be considered a compelling, male-oriented soap opera.

Shelf Talk: A serious-minded audience with a need for expert acting will be interested in this title, especially with Oscar-winning Broadbent (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) and Firth (Mamma Mia!, Then She Found Me) in the leads. Though the film didn’t register in theaters, Sony’s promise of advertising on movie-based Web sites will definitely help heighten its profile.