Dad

PG

Released Oct 27, 1989

1 hr. 57 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

58%

12 Reviews

Tomatometer

60%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Businessman John Tremont (Ted Danson) has never had to worry about his father, Jake (Jack Lemmon). But, when his mother dies, John suddenly realizes that the defiant, proud and aging man needs someone to look after him. Initially uneasy about taking Jake in, John begins to reevaluate his own life as he cares for his father. The time with his dad makes John realize, among other things, how important it is that he mend his crumbling relationship with his own son (Ethan Hawke).

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Jeff M

I should preface this review by sharing that I have been living with my own father for the last 7 1/2 years after my mother unexpectedly passed away, so this is material that hits very close to home. Of course, I choked up a couple times during the movie and shed a tear or two, but sadly this was due to my own humanity rather than any accomplishment by the filmmakers here. This is a movie that purports to be about real life but gets practically everything wrong. My fears started early when treacly piano music accompanied the opening credits and the beginning outdoor scenes were lit like a celebrate-the-moments-of-your-life coffee commercial. And it's downhill from there. I will say that Lemmon is quite good if occasionally hammy. But there are multiple scenes here that are excruciatingly awkward to watch, the low point being a moment when Lemmon is carried out of a hospital by his son (Danson) while triumphant music dictates our emotions. All due respect to Danson, but he is not the right actor for this role - he handles the lighter moments adeptly but stumbles at anything more dramatic or heartrending. His scenes with son Ethan Hawke are the film's worst and feel totally unnecessary. Hawke is serviceable in the role but given nothing to do. Movies like this really make me mad because they use manipulation rather than true emotion to elicit viewer reaction.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/24

Full Review

Audience Member

based on the book of the same name 'Dad' is a film that teaches all of us the best man in our lives we can truly count on are our fathers Jack Lemmon, Ted Danson, Kevin Spacey, and Ethan Hawke Jack Tremont lives with his wife in the countryside, one day she has a heart attack and her husband is left by himself when news reaches his son, John he immediately flies home to check on his old man it's one thing that Jack lives on his own but it's another thing entirely that his own son never had to worry about him so much until now John teaches Jack how to take care of himself from cleaning to cooking to driving but it's more than that; they actually bond and grow even more closer than ever before John's own son eventually comes into the fray, with this father and son relationship it might need fixing itself before it's too late Jack's wife has always been stubborn and self-righteous with so much demand so with her husband in a new zest for life she finds it difficult to reassess herself if the declining health doesn't kill him then it's her harsh judgment mixed with resentment might the film is from happy-go-lucky to straight up drama and it pours on some very weighty subject material all fathers and sons need to spend time together, healthy or not healthy remaining close is what counts the most, how many of us are truly, deeply happy with the lives we have lived for so long, infirmity, senility, reconciliation and death are all issues we must contend with at some point, we shouldn't fight but only love and forget everything else, finding a new life to live fully doesn't mean we have to turn back the previous one, it never hurts to open up to new things in the world Lemmon's performance is a treasure to witness as a father that finally gets to know his own child after so long while also gaining a new perspective on things not wasting a single moment Ted Danson's role here is just as committed as a son finally starting to see the value of his relationship knowing he's always had a father that never demanded anything in return and was always there to take care of everyone all of us have a father or some some semblance of a father figure we wish to look up to or gather some imparting wisdom, this movie makes us reaffirm the deep connection right from the start until the very end we may get very few chances to spend time with them so it's important they happen frequently Danson and Lemmon play very convincingly with each other making this movie soar with its rich emotions and heavy topics

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/28/23

Full Review

Robert M

I touching story about a busy business man reconnecting with his father, son and mother.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wonderful movie. I don't remember hearing about his movie when it first came out in 1989. I noticed it was on sale recently so I decided to pick it up to watch someday when I have nothing else to watch. I finally got around to watching it and I fell in love with the movie. The movie feels authentic in many ways and many of the scenes hit really hard. I googled the movie and I was quite surprised that Jack Lemmon did not get nominated for best actor for this film. If you treasure your family, this movie will be a tear jerker for sure. But well worth it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

steve d

You end up resenting everyone and wanting it to be over.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

jon c

based on the book of the same name 'Dad' is a film that teaches all of us the best man in our lives we can truly count on are our fathers Jack Lemmon, Ted Danson, Kevin Spacey, and Ethan Hawke Jack Tremont lives with his wife in the countryside, one day she has a heart attack and her husband is left by himself when news reaches his son, John he immediately flies home to check on his old man it's one thing that Jack lives on his own but it's another thing entirely that his own son never had to worry about him so much until now John teaches Jack how to take care of himself from cleaning to cooking to driving but it's more than that; they actually bond and grow even more closer than ever before John's own son eventually comes into the fray, with this father and son relationship it might need fixing itself before it's too late Jack's wife has always been stubborn and self-righteous with so much demand so with her husband in a new zest for life she finds it difficult to reassess herself if the declining health doesn't kill him then it's her harsh judgment mixed with resentment might the film is from happy-go-lucky to straight up drama and it pours on some very weighty subject material all fathers and sons need to spend time together, healthy or not healthy remaining close is what counts the most, how many of us are truly, deeply happy with the lives we have lived for so long, infirmity, senility, reconciliation and death are all issues we must contend with at some point, we shouldn't fight but only love and forget everything else, finding a new life to live fully doesn't mean we have to turn back the previous one, it never hurts to open up to new things in the world Lemmon's performance is a treasure to witness as a father that finally gets to know his own child after so long while also gaining a new perspective on things not wasting a single moment Ted Danson's role here is just as committed as a son finally starting to see the value of his relationship knowing he's always had a father that never demanded anything in return and was always there to take care of everyone all of us have a father or some some semblance of a father figure we wish to look up to or gather some imparting wisdom, this movie makes us reaffirm the deep connection right from the start until the very end we may get very few chances to spend time with them so it's important they happen frequently Danson and Lemmon play very convincingly with each other making this movie soar with its rich emotions and heavy topics

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Gary David Goldberg

Director

Jack Lemmon

Jake Tremont

Ted Danson

John Tremont

Olympia Dukakis

Bette Tremont

Kathy Baker

Annie

Kevin Spacey

Mario

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The proof of the movie's promise is in the opening scenes, which work powerfully. The film doesn't go bad all at once; it derails about halfway through.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...sluggish and oddly-paced drama that nevertheless remains watchable for most of its overlong running time...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 24, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Dad presents the most hysterical of limits in a film set on making the audience cry. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 11, 2022

Full Review

Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

'80s tearjerker portrays elderly with depth, dignity.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 25, 2017

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

An utterly mechanical tearjerker.

Rated: F

Jul 29, 2007

Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Jack Lemmon and Ted Danson do great work as father and son.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 28, 2006

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Businessman John Tremont (Ted Danson) has never had to worry about his father, Jake (Jack Lemmon). But, when his mother dies, John suddenly realizes that the defiant, proud and aging man needs someone to look after him. Initially uneasy about taking Jake in, John begins to reevaluate his own life as he cares for his father. The time with his dad makes John realize, among other things, how important it is that he mend his crumbling relationship with his own son (Ethan Hawke).

Director: Gary David Goldberg
Screenwriter: Gary David Goldberg
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Amblin Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 27, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.7M
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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