International superstar Gerard Depardieu played the lead in this movie not once but twice: first in the original 1991 French version, and then again in this 1994 American remake costarring a teenage Katherine Heigl. Depardieu plays Andre, an always-touring concert pianist who only occasionally sees his once worshipful, now resentful daughter, Nicole (Heigl). Hoping he can make up for lost time, Andre takes an unwilling Nicole to an upscale beach resort, where she feigns eye-rolling misery every moment that she has to spend with him. When a handsome local (and apparently rich) boy named Ben (Dalton James) takes some interest in Nicole, Andre puts up roadblocks to any developing relationship. But then Andre gets caught up in Nicole’s various lies to Ben about her dad—especially that Andre is her lover—and madness ensues. Journeyman director Steve Miner’s My Father the Hero is a reasonably entertaining bit of comic fluff that hits several very funny notes (a scene where Andre performs "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" is especially good) and boasts a number of sharp character actors (including Stephen Tobolowsky). Extras include audio commentary by Miner. A strong optional purchase. (T. Keogh)
My Father the Hero
Kino Lorber, 90 min., PG, DVD: $11.99, Blu-ray: $19.99 Volume 33, Issue 4
My Father the Hero
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