I Never Sang for My Father

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CodyZamboni The two leads, Gene Hackman and Melvyn Douglas, are so compelling. Their relationship feels so real and true to life. The plot resolutions are difficult, but honest. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/06/23 Full Review Rich M A nuanced script with exceptional underlying psychodynamics. A line that resonated with me completely: "I always wanted to love him; I always needed to love him." If you have a father who was always right, and always told you what to do and never told you that you lived up to his expectations, you will recognize Tom Garrison: Narcissistic, Emotionally Distant and Brutally Damaging. Gene Garrison (Hackman) must finally accept that the love he hoped to receive from his father will never come. For some of us, this rings in our hearts so true. For others, I think you will the underlying truth interesting. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/22/23 Full Review Andrea L It deserves 100% I saw the movie when I was in my 20's from the perspective of the son, and now in my 70's from the perspective of the father. Cried both and every time I have seen it which is the mark of a fine drama and storyline. Has this playwright written any others? Very moving and strikes all of us with some familiarity. Gene Hackman was also excellent and made have made his mark before " "French Connection". Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/24/22 Full Review Audience Member I Never Sang for My Father is a remarkable film about unresolved issues and a Father in deep pain about his own father. The father in this film is played, flawlessly, by Mervlyn Douglas. A man who is deeply controlling, yet tormented by a terrible childhood. His son, who is equally as brilliant, is played by Gene Hackman. Unlike his father, the son tries to be accommodating but wants to move away. The dialogue is first rate. The film has a few other actors (excellent scene with Estelle Parson and Gene Hackman) primarily, it's Douglas and Hackman who run the emotional gambit is this brilliant 1970 film. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review jon c No relationship between father and son is the easiest but even when there's constant clashing the bond is just too great to ruin. Gilbert Cates directs a movie about such a relationship. A very young Gene Hackman stars as Gene Harrison next to Melvyn Douglas as his father, Tom. Gene picks up his dad and mom from the airport and they're spending some quality time together. Gene just had a successful book published and is planning to move to California to get married to his girlfriend. But Tom is against his son making a life for himself not wanting him to leave Sadly Gene's mother passes away and it creates more of a strain between them Would leaving his father make him more depressed? Tom always has a life story to share to everyone he meets. Considering Tom is a famous senator people only know of his notoriety and never ask about his wife, Gene always gets ticked off when his father is always brought up. His childhood wasn't the best and his sister reminds him how Tom resented her for years Death ends a life but it does not end a relationship, a son shouldn't have to make his mother's life, mothers are soft and yielding fathers are tough and critical, do most sons look for a mothers love in their fathers?, despite all the resentment we carry inside when we hear the word father it matters The movie is very dialogue heavy but Cates handles these family dynamics and dysfunctions with sure conviction. This is very universal dealing with rough patches we are all inclined to go through on several occasions. Both Hackman and Douglas give such award-winning performances; this is a family drama that soars thanks to its attention to the elderly as well as the young. Near-perfect early 70s cinema with great actors, empathic characters, and truthful family relationships. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review steve d The story is nothing special but the acting is good. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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