36 reviews
Jack Lemmon's finest performance
Jack Lemmon's performances in Mister Roberts and Save the Tiger don't add up to his work in DAD. There is only a handful of actors that can make you laugh and cry. Jack Lemmon shows his true acting ability in this film. Even with a weak supporting cast, Jack Lemmon makes DAD a film worth seeing again and again. 8 out of 10 stars giving all 8 stars to Jack !
- caspian1978
- Oct 15, 2000
- Permalink
Too manipulative by Spielberg!!
When l watched this movie in 1994 not entirely l didn't realize that Spielberg was the film's producer, but yesterday l decided to watch it again on DVD thinking in Jack Lemmon's character and hoping good things to come, suddenly l saw Steven Spielberg as producer, oh my God once more this manipulative person was involved on movie, l saw the movie but with a foot behind and once again he did, as said someone here at IMDb about the movie "Agressivelly Kinder" it's says for itself, is must to make a movie, not kindly fantasy, happy for Lemmon and Danson but sorry for the movie, apart from that the movie is watchable!!
Resume:
First watch: 1994 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7
Resume:
First watch: 1994 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7
- elo-equipamentos
- Jul 4, 2017
- Permalink
the son duty
This movie shows a good son who care for his father but .
for me it is not a favor it is the son duty to his father according to rules Islam .
Great acting , great shots and directing .
The movie is a good lesson to all of the people who unfortunately canceled their parents from their lives .
which is bad as a sin in my believes .
I hope that every one has seen this movie put that in mind .
And behave same way that John did .
Heart-felt thanks to the whole cast of this lovely movie .
for me it is not a favor it is the son duty to his father according to rules Islam .
Great acting , great shots and directing .
The movie is a good lesson to all of the people who unfortunately canceled their parents from their lives .
which is bad as a sin in my believes .
I hope that every one has seen this movie put that in mind .
And behave same way that John did .
Heart-felt thanks to the whole cast of this lovely movie .
this remains a powerful film
I think this is Jack Lemmon's greatest performance and the supporting cast are incredible, including Ted Danson who always appears to me to be slightly frenetic in a grim kind of way. Here he is truly believable and his scenes with his own son tug at your heart they are so real. No Hollywood quickfix here for the relationship, the boy is simply closer to his grandfather than he is to his own father and nothing will change that fact.
What I liked most about the film was that the theme in less worthy hands could have been made sloppily sentimental, but here it is totally restrained both in script and direction and it makes for a really meaningful movie. The characters remain real all the way through and the script does not transform them into wondrous saints by movie's end.
It is the wonderful understatement in it all that captivated me and made me weep at the end. Jack is truly unforgettable and Olympia magnificent in her dryness and cynicism. I have seen it 3 times and each time relished another scene a little more. This time around it was Jack dragging his wife around to meet the neighbours he was not even aware of before and her long suffering face at this new and reinvented Jack makes you laugh out loud. Bravo to all. An 8 1/2 out of 10. And that scene where they dance, oh me oh my......who needs naked bodies writhing on a bed, this has sensuousness, love and intimacy in it, the real kind. Oh for more of those scenes in movies!
What I liked most about the film was that the theme in less worthy hands could have been made sloppily sentimental, but here it is totally restrained both in script and direction and it makes for a really meaningful movie. The characters remain real all the way through and the script does not transform them into wondrous saints by movie's end.
It is the wonderful understatement in it all that captivated me and made me weep at the end. Jack is truly unforgettable and Olympia magnificent in her dryness and cynicism. I have seen it 3 times and each time relished another scene a little more. This time around it was Jack dragging his wife around to meet the neighbours he was not even aware of before and her long suffering face at this new and reinvented Jack makes you laugh out loud. Bravo to all. An 8 1/2 out of 10. And that scene where they dance, oh me oh my......who needs naked bodies writhing on a bed, this has sensuousness, love and intimacy in it, the real kind. Oh for more of those scenes in movies!
- wisewebwoman
- Nov 8, 2001
- Permalink
Simple tear-jerker
It doesn't matter how old you are, you can still have a good time seeing this film.
Jack Lemmon's performance is just fantastic when he stars in a film that should have got him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. This is a pretty interesting film for the whole family to see. It's about Lemmon's wife (Olympia Dukakis) who has to help her husband do stuff since he can't by himself. Meanwhile, Dukakis has a bad sickness in the frozen food section at the supermarket. Since she's at the hospital, Lemmon gets his son (Ted Danson) to take care of him. After Danson does, suddenly, Lemmon has a whole new life ahead of him and acts like a little kid again. This dramatic movie is good to watch even by yourself.
this and "Tales of the City" are a good way to remember Olympia Dukakis
I just saw 1993's "Tales of the City" in memory of the recently deceased Olympia Dukakis. I rented "Dad" not knowing that she co-starred in it, but I'd say that these two productions are a good way to pay tribute to her.
Dukakis plays a supporting role in this movie, as the ailing matriarch. Jack Lemmon as the patriarch is the main character, and his wife's absence forces him to suddenly have to carry out household chores, taking a toll on his mental health.
It's not a great movie, but worth seeing, showing how the family has to come together in a dire situation. The rest of the cast includes Ted Danson, Kathy Baker, Kevin Spacey (gulp) and Ethan Hawke. One might also include the Academy Award-nominated makeup job on Lemmon.
Dukakis plays a supporting role in this movie, as the ailing matriarch. Jack Lemmon as the patriarch is the main character, and his wife's absence forces him to suddenly have to carry out household chores, taking a toll on his mental health.
It's not a great movie, but worth seeing, showing how the family has to come together in a dire situation. The rest of the cast includes Ted Danson, Kathy Baker, Kevin Spacey (gulp) and Ethan Hawke. One might also include the Academy Award-nominated makeup job on Lemmon.
- lee_eisenberg
- Oct 15, 2021
- Permalink
Lame movie for such good actors
Had potential but fell completely flat because of Ted Danson's inability to act in any emotional way. He had one believable scene where he displayed real anger, but other then that, he ruined this movie. I was disappointed because for all the top talent this movie had, it just fell flat. Plot line was disjointed and undeveloped. Yet somehow it still seemed like it was 2 and 1/2 hours long, it dragged. I think if Kevin Spacey and Ted Danson would switch roles, this movie might have worked. I didn't like Dukakus acting at all, what was with the New York accent in southern California? After living in southern Cal. for 30 years do you think it would be that strong?? The positives would be the great acting of Jack Lemmon and Ethan Hawke. They did great jobs and were enjoyable to watch.
Very emotional
This movie hits, it hits very hard. No one is let off easy in this film about an old man (played to perfection by Jack Lemmon) who has his wife do everything for him. BUt his wife has a heart attack and is put in the hospital. His son (Ted Danson) has to return home to take care of his father. What comes from there is an adventure that will warm you heart as fast as it will break it. Jack Lemmon is very believeable as the father that you will believe that he actually is 85 years old and Ten Danson has never been better in a film. This film devlves into hard topics such as divorce, marraige and family relationships and none of these subjects are delt with lightly and is sure to bring a tear to the eye of everyone whether you can realte to these characters or not.
- casey_choas66
- Jul 7, 2002
- Permalink
I wouldn't want the middle generation of this family as my parents or my children.
- mark.waltz
- May 29, 2022
- Permalink
I admit. I initially only wanted to watch Dad to see a younger Ethan
The kind of movie that wants awards so badly, it disgraces itself in the bargain...
Jack Lemmon, aged with makeup and a bald cap, plays the cantankerous title character, who needs looking after once his wife suffers a heart attack. Butter-colored family portrait, the kind in which impending death brings the principals closer together. Producer-director Gary David Goldberg also adapted his screenplay from the novel by William Wharton; he obviously had faith in this material, though it has been cast for awards season acknowledgment. There's not a convincing moment anywhere, and Lemmon is never so off-putting as when he is straining for a sentimental affect. The whole thing goes over the top near the finish, with Ted Danson running out of a hospital with frail Dad in his arms. When Hollywood goes the shameless route, look out: gullible viewers become roadkill. *1/2 from ****
- moonspinner55
- Jul 3, 2010
- Permalink
Solid Story-Telling.
Genuine tear-jerker that has the elderly Olympia Dukakis falling ill and leaving husband Jack Lemmon in limbo. Dukakis has done all the work in the relationship and Lemmon is helpless, plain and simple. Son Ted Danson comes to the rescue though and Dukakis starts to recover slowly. However trouble looms as Lemmon will be diagnosed with cancer and go into an emotional tail-spin that could kill him. A sappy screenplay works to near perfection here and steady direction helps the film's cause as well. Watch for a young Ethan Hawke as Lemmon's grandson. Heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time. 4 stars out of 5.
forgivable heart-tugger
The latest (at the time) in a saccharin trend of kinder, gentler movies celebrating family values and filial responsibilities stars Ted Danson as a well-to-do yuppie who becomes reacquainted with his elderly, fragile father (Jack Lemmon) after his overworked mother suffers a mild heart attack. As might be expected the film has potential for turning maudlin at every change of scene (especially when every change of scene is set in a hospital), but each tear-jerking plot twist is handled with care and held in check by more than one notable performance: Danson, in particular, plays the dutiful son with a low-key skill in every way the equal of an old pro like Lemmon. In between the heart attack and the recovery room and the cancer ward (and so forth and so on) the script can be too aggressively tender, but by the not unexpected conclusion the film has built up enough surplus emotional depth to make any shortcoming easier to forgive.
This is one film that is a MUST-SEE!
It is very rare that I give any film 10/10 but then it is very rare that I see a film that deserves it. This is one film that truly deserves it. the huge names that fill the main roles play their parts perfectly. I was surprised that neither this film nor the anyone in either the main two roles or the supporting roles was up for an academy award because they all should have been in my opinion. OK so maybe not all, but certainly somewhere along the line one ore more of the aforementioned list should have been This film was extremely heart-warming and tugged at the heart-strings in equal measures.
Ted Danson plays a man called John Tremont who rearranges his life when his mother, Bette, (his father, Jake, has allowed her to do virtually everything for him. He has therefore had his self-esteem whittled away over the last fifty years or more that they have been married including not having a lot of fun and driving him everywhere)has a heart-attack in a supermarket. Suddenly the high-powered business man has to find his relationship with his father again and he does this by giving back to him what is missing from his life. The bond they end up with is extremely strong. So much so that he stays with his father the whole time when he, after his mother gets well and comes out of hospital, ends up in hospital himself.
The supporting cast are just as good. You know instantly that daughter Annie is the one that normally looks after her elderly parents while John does the high-flying businessman bit only to then take more of a back-seat role when John rearranges his life. Mario, the third sibling, cannot be there to help as much as he would like due to living so far away does return to the family when there is need for him to do so. And then there is Billy who is obviously more attached to his Grandfather than his father This is a film that HAS to be seen.
Ted Danson plays a man called John Tremont who rearranges his life when his mother, Bette, (his father, Jake, has allowed her to do virtually everything for him. He has therefore had his self-esteem whittled away over the last fifty years or more that they have been married including not having a lot of fun and driving him everywhere)has a heart-attack in a supermarket. Suddenly the high-powered business man has to find his relationship with his father again and he does this by giving back to him what is missing from his life. The bond they end up with is extremely strong. So much so that he stays with his father the whole time when he, after his mother gets well and comes out of hospital, ends up in hospital himself.
The supporting cast are just as good. You know instantly that daughter Annie is the one that normally looks after her elderly parents while John does the high-flying businessman bit only to then take more of a back-seat role when John rearranges his life. Mario, the third sibling, cannot be there to help as much as he would like due to living so far away does return to the family when there is need for him to do so. And then there is Billy who is obviously more attached to his Grandfather than his father This is a film that HAS to be seen.
Most moving movie I have seen in years.
I am a Ted Danson fan. However until today, I have never seen the Movie" Dad ". I sat in my chair and could not get up to do anything. I could have put the movie on still, but I just could not tear myself away from it. It is warm, moving, realistic and Ted Danson and Jack Lemmon had me convinced that they were actually living their roles. It has been years since I cried at a movie, but this one, my tears flowed like a stream. I cannot say enough about it. This is the very first time, I ever went through any trouble to give my opinion about a movie or an actor. I felt I had to tell you how it affected me.
My comment of DAD
Today August 12, 2008 --- Imagine I may be a little late for a comment --- but I only saw this movie today --- It was so true to life, and tapped into every emotion that one could feel -- going through an experience of the like. I lost my dad, two years ago, and although there were difference in the story line...the essence of it remained the same.....I loved it --- Jack Lemmon was so believable, Ted Danson (who I admit never saw him act outside of cheers was amazing and Olympia (she's a classic --- and so underrated)...
My opine - a must see --- for life...
Ven
My opine - a must see --- for life...
Ven
One of the best family films
Life is sometimes a hard thing. People must learn what is the most important thing in life. This film shows us how we must to face a critical situation. Perhaps when time is gone we try to recall that time too late. The family is the most important thing we have.
The Film : I think it's very crude and real. there are many old ones in abandonment situation and this film illustrates the necessary love for the greater ones of the family. Although TV is treated in format, the argument either is developed and distributed in the time with a crescendo of emotions very well displayed.
Jack Lemmon makes a magnificent work in Jake Tremont roll with such so pathetic depth that it seems real
Ted Danson is discovered like a good actor, not only for series of television, but also for cinema too. He plays more than credible son dedicated to his father treating to compensate the lack of affection felt in both directions in the past times
The Film : I think it's very crude and real. there are many old ones in abandonment situation and this film illustrates the necessary love for the greater ones of the family. Although TV is treated in format, the argument either is developed and distributed in the time with a crescendo of emotions very well displayed.
Jack Lemmon makes a magnificent work in Jake Tremont roll with such so pathetic depth that it seems real
Ted Danson is discovered like a good actor, not only for series of television, but also for cinema too. He plays more than credible son dedicated to his father treating to compensate the lack of affection felt in both directions in the past times
Jack, a true gentleman and fine actor!
First time I have watched this one and I was very moved. Never heard of this movie? Glad I stumbled across it. I love Jack Lemmon. Thought I had seen almost everything he has done? Ted Danson was terrific in this movie. I was really impressed with Ted's versatility, drama, comedy and real emotions. Great flick. Brought back many memories. Almost a mirror image of the last days I spent with my dad, especially the "hug" scene. In that generation we "quietly" showed our love for our parents and siblings. Really sad that folks wait so long to enjoy their families. I could really relate to this movie. They don't make em like Jack anymore. Really do miss him.
Fantastic movie but a tear jerker.
Still remember the music and the scenes after all these years!
I saw this movie when I was an undergraduate student. Man, this has to be one of the most touching movie that I have ever seen! Even after all these years, I could still vividly remember the scenes and the music. Especially the music theme is turly well-done (simple tune, but very emotional and powerful!) this movie is one of my all time fave!
Outstanding Movie
As the reviewer above mentioned, this movie is outstanding in every way and is a must see for anyone with aging parents. Ted Danson plays the role to perfection, as does Jack Lemmon. You will empathize with the entire cast and learn an important lesson - we are all responsible for taking care of our parents. I recently lost my father to a long illness, and I was very much in a similar position to the Ted Danson character. I wish I had seen this movie before my father became seriously ill, as it would have helped me cope with the situation. I don't know who wrote this movie, but it was clearly someone who had taken care of his sick father.
One of the best family drama.
This movie is very 80's like. It instantly brought me back to the good old 80's. This is really not a comedy, but a very serious family drama. Almost every movie came out from Hollywood is for profit only, this movie is very touching, and purely family oriented. I don't know how much it has made so far, but I doubt that it is a popular movie for the general public.
Having said that, I think that this movie has touched a very deep part of our lives. All of us have to face the fact that our parents are growing old, and one day they will leave us forever. It is quite emotional. How many of the people living in the USA now have the courage, time and money to actually live with their older parents till the day they apart.
This movie brought three generations all together, and showed us a well-done drama. It does not have a happy ending. However, it gives us a very realistic feeling that we all have or had to face.
So watch this movie when it is raining outside. I am sure that you can have a good cry.
Having said that, I think that this movie has touched a very deep part of our lives. All of us have to face the fact that our parents are growing old, and one day they will leave us forever. It is quite emotional. How many of the people living in the USA now have the courage, time and money to actually live with their older parents till the day they apart.
This movie brought three generations all together, and showed us a well-done drama. It does not have a happy ending. However, it gives us a very realistic feeling that we all have or had to face.
So watch this movie when it is raining outside. I am sure that you can have a good cry.
- Hunky Stud
- May 10, 2004
- Permalink
Sensational, true-life!
This movie was one of the most sensational drama movies I have ever seen. It is so true with real-life experiences, and it is sure to touch you emotionally. It is a story about how spending all of your life chasing the almighty $dollar$ and success can certainly have great drawbacks. It is a prime example of how success should not be determined by how much money you make, but by what you have to give up in order to achieve it. In this case, it was Ted Dansen's family that was given up. This movie can be related to on a personal level with almost anyone. It is certain to bring tears to your eyes, and make you want to pick up that phone...and make those calls you have put off for so long.
A very very must see
This is one of my favorite movies! I really think this is under-rated. Anyway, I could still clearly remember the story and the acting was really great! THe music is great too! Ah.. no wonder, it's James Horner (THE composer of Titanic).. funny thing is, I think Horner did a great job on The Mask of Zorro, and Titanic (1997) but NOT the "Deep Impact" (for some reason, I didn't think the music in that movie was really impressive).. anyway, this movie (DAD) is a must see, highly recommended.