The Father Review: 5 Ups And 2 Downs
5. Up: Great Supporting Work From Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman seems to be everywhere at the moment and her talent is put to good use here. As Anthony's long suffering and unfulfilled daughter, Colman plays Anne who takes in her father as he struggles with his illness.
A great portion of the film follows Anthony's confusion and anger so it is down to Anne to provide the emotional groundwork for which the audience can connect to the characters and there is not many people that do raw emotion better than Olivia Colman.
Anne is an instantly sympathetic character who has a relatable experience that too many family members have had to go through. Anne has to put her whole life on hold in order to care for her father. Her balancing act is tough and you will feel deeply sorry for her and that is largely due to Colman's work here.
It isn't as good as her Oscar winning turn in The Favourite a few years ago, but Colman provides a strong supporting presence and is the emotional core of the film.