Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Francene Odetta It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

17268 The first time I saw "I Never Sang for My Father" was first-run in a theatre (one of the last movies I saw in a theatre). When the first frame and the offscreen voice of Gene Hackman came on screen, I started crying and cried throughout the movie: this was three generations of my family on screen. The identical scene and dialogue at the end of the movie was even more powerful. I can't help but think that many other fathers and sons will have a similar reaction. The same sensitivity that Robert Nathan showed in his magnificent screenplay for "The Nun's Story" is repeated here. His screenplay, as well as the performances of Melvyn Douglas and Gene Hackman, was nominated for an Oscar. All of them should have won--as should the movie itself. "Patton," the winner, was good--"Father"was great, a movie that has only gotten better with each repeated viewing. Everything about the movie--direction, production, writing, performances--is superb. The problem of caring for aging parents has, unfortunately, become even more prevalent in today's society. Anyone who is not tremendously moved by "I Never Sang for My Father" is advised stick to the dreck that constitutes most of today's fare. This is a movie that will always be relevant--I would give it more than ten stars!

Psalm 52 What an honest, thought-provoking surprise to view this film after learning it stars Gene Hackman whom I know of through the 70's/early-mid 80's "Superman" franchise. Aside from the knowing writing, and the nuanced performances (Hackman's mother and sister are excellent) the main factor that makes me enjoy this gem is that I strongly relate to the story's main issue: how do adult-children best care for elderly parents AND keep their lives intact? In my real-world version, my mother survived my father and is now, almost three years, living in a "home", but since summer 2000, I've wrestled with the question of how is she-to-be 'best-cared for' while I am in control of my own life. I recommend viewing this as a companion to "Where's Poppa?" which deals with the same topic (adult-children caring for elderly parents) but in a hilarious, upside-down, "Is this happening?" style (both films released in 1970).

jotix100 "I Never Sang for My Father" has to be one of the saddest films ever made. Relations between parents and grown up children are examined in this tight drama that rings true from beginning to end. We can relate to how the dynamics in a family change as parents get older and children are now involved in problems of their own with their families.This is basically about the special relationship between a father and a son. Tom Garrison, the father, is in his eighties. His son Gene has lost his wife and is now seeing a woman doctor in California. When Margaret, the mother, suffers a heart attack and dies, Tom and Gene come to a confrontation because the father wants to keep a grip on his son to help him during that adjustment period. Gene, who has always been a good son, has to make a decision that will put him at odds with his father.The idea of children taking care of their parents during their old age is questioned here. On the one hand, Tom, the father, is a self made man who struggled hard for all he achieved in life. Gene, the son, is in the eyes of the father, a failure, because of his passive nature. Tom has counted on relying on Gene for those late years and because of his intransigent nature, he is not willing to compromise in the solution the son has for him.The film version of Robert Anderson's play, and directed by Gilbert Cates, gathered a stellar cast to bring the family alive. Melvyn Douglas, in one of his best screen appearances, makes Tom Garrison come alive. Mr. Douglas' take on his character shows a man that while giving an appearance of being strong, underneath, shows his vulnerability. Gene Hackman, who plays the son, is a perfect match for Melvyn Douglas. Their scenes together show a raw energy between a domineering father and a son that has gone along to please him. Estelle Parsons is seen as Alice, the estranged daughter and Dorothy Stickney who plays Margaret, the mother.

escape10 Perhaps that takes a bit of explaining, but seeing people get in cars without putting on seat belts was kind of a shock. I guess I'm just too used to today.the movie wasn't bad but kind of a hackneyed story. Mom is great, but dies; Dad is hard hearted but tries to pass it off as 'taking care of the family.' A bit hokey when the old man cries (I actually think it was intended to look phony), as he is really a hard guy. No one could 'love' that SOB.