By the title, you might think When Did You Last See Your Father? is the latest in mafia or true crime thrillers. It is nothing of the sort. Say it with a soft, wistful Yorkshire accent, and you will begin to  capture the tone of this sweet and nostalgic film. It is the story of a writer coming to grips with the death of his father—the headstrong, ebullient village doctor.  

The movie is based on the book by Blake Morrison. Both are good, but the book is the better. Morrison has the remarkable ability to make long descriptions seem short. The anecdotes of every day habit, Yorkshire culture, and consistently funny insights bring the reader in. It’s like sitting down with an interesting old friend.

Both the movie and book succeed in portraying the core element: the relationship between son and father. In the movie, the story of Blake (Colin Firth) and his father, Arthur (Jim Broadbent), comically and realistically unfolds. Though only a side bar in the book, sex is a dominant if somewhat overbearing part of the movie. The finale,  in which Blake finally recalls the last time he really saw his father as he was, is overshadowed by the overly dramatic camera angles depicting the family’s grief over Arthur’s death. Those nitpicks aside, it is a sweet and thoughtful movie.

In conclusion, go pick up the book for a delightful read. Go see the movie for a shared experience, a good Father’s Day trip with dad.

 

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