A son's struggle to come to terms with an estranged father is the clichéd subject of this British film based on a true story from director Anand Tucker (Shopgirl). Colin Firth stars as Blake, a middle-aged poet who not only feels unappreciated by Arthur (Jim Broadbent), his abrasive, extroverted doctor father, but also has long suspected that his dad was unfaithful to his long-suffering but loving mother (Juliet Stevenson). After Arthur is diagnosed with terminal cancer, the film alternates between flashbacks illustrating Blake's tense relationship with his father and sequences in which Blake helps his mother care for the dying patriarch. Based on Blake Morrison's 1993 memoir And When Did You Last See Your Father?, the film features some striking individual episodes—especially those involving Blake as a teen (Matthew Beard brings a wispy charm to the young Blake) being introduced to rites of passage by his gruff but caring dad (Broadbent's larger-than-life performance is typically powerful). Overall, however, the movie comes across as tepid, particularly because Firth's pinched turn never registers much beyond whiny, and the absence of a real resolution between father and son makes for a dramatically feeble ending. Optional. (F. Swietek)
When Did You Last See Your Father?
Sony, 92 min., PG-13, DVD: $28.99, Nov. 4 Volume 23, Issue 6
When Did You Last See Your Father?
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