The Father Review: 5 Ups And 2 Downs
2. Up: The Authentic Portrayal Of The Disease
As The Father is told from Anthony's perspective, we get front row seats to his confusion and disorientation as his world breaks down around him and begins to make as little sense as possible. What this means is that scenes take place out of order but for Anthony, they're happening one after the other.
The film works as an intricate puzzle as Anthony, and by extension the audience, attempt to piece everything together so it all makes sense. It is an incredibly compelling way to tell a story and the film's commitment to the jumbled narrative only enhances Anthony's torment.
You can be unsure of how certain things fit and muddled as to what is happening when and why but it is entirely intentional as Anthony is going through the same experience and is feeling the crippling fear of each out-of-place person or event.
Dementia has never been told so well before on screen and if you struggle to fully comprehend what a dementia sufferer goes through then this is the perfect film to educate you on the horrifying experience.