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      A Loving Father

      2002 1h 43m Drama List
      Reviews 60% Audience Score 500+ Ratings Leo Shepherd (Gérard Depardieu) is a renowned writer who has just won the Nobel Prize for Literature. When his estranged son, Paul (Guillaume Depardieu), tries to convey his congratulations, he finds that Leo won't take his calls. As Leo heads north to collect his award, Paul decides to follow him. After Leo gets into an accident on the road, Paul brings his injured father into his car and decides to take advantage of his dad's incapacitated state in an attempt to reconcile with him. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer Rated: 3/4 Feb 4, 2004 Full Review Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Rated: 3/5 Jun 6, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      walter m [font=Century Gothic]"A Loving Father" starts with Leo Shepherd(Gerard Depardieu) winning the Nobel Prize for Literature. He plans to ride a motorcycle 1200 miles to Stockholm, disappointing his daughter/manager, Virginia(Sylvie Testud), who wants to accompany him. At the same time, she will not put through the phone calls of his son, Paul(Guillaume Depardieu), a recovering addict who is putting his life together. So, Paul drives out and intercepts his father on the road, badgering him with questions...and even going so far as to fake his father's death.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"A Loving Father" is a thoughtful examination of the creative process that while mildly contrived does not thankfully become one long cliche. It is ironic that Leo who is believed dead is going to accept an award named after Alfred Nobel who was also mistakenly thought dead at one point. While Leo has his good points(he lives the life of a humble farmer and his riding a motorcycle to Stockholm is cool), he was also a horrendous father. Like I have said before, some people should never have children, especially a writer like Leo whose life is his work which is solitary by its nature. As a result, neither Virginia nor Paul is a complete human being, and now that they are adults, they have to take responsibility for and live their own lives, healing the damage suffered in their childhoods. And nobody does unbalanced as well as Sylvie Testud.[/font] Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member (** 1/2): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon13.gif[/img] I'm on the fence about this one. I like the story and the lead male actors give good performances but I think the character of the daughter really lessened the film. Plus, I don't think many things that happen in this film would have ever happened (especially the ending). Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member film relatant la relation pere fils chez les depardieu interesante mis en scene du realisateur Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Un sujet interressant mais qui ressemble plus a un reglement de compte qu'a du vrai cinema et le jeu des acteurs est mauvais Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Tripes, le pire de Depardieu. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Great acting and chemistry between the Depardieu Sr. and Jr, a very well written screenplay that really rings true even if you dont necessarily relate personally. Noémie Kocher does a good job too. I'm always generous with stars, but this indeed worth seeing. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      A Loving Father

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Leo Shepherd (Gérard Depardieu) is a renowned writer who has just won the Nobel Prize for Literature. When his estranged son, Paul (Guillaume Depardieu), tries to convey his congratulations, he finds that Leo won't take his calls. As Leo heads north to collect his award, Paul decides to follow him. After Leo gets into an accident on the road, Paul brings his injured father into his car and decides to take advantage of his dad's incapacitated state in an attempt to reconcile with him.
      Director
      Jacob Berger
      Screenwriter
      Pascal Barollier, Jacob Berger, Edward A. Radtke
      Production Co
      DD Productions
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      French (Canada)
      Release Date (DVD)
      May 18, 2004
      Runtime
      1h 43m
      Sound Mix
      Surround