Director Gabriele Muccino
Genre Drama
Cast Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Aaron Paul, Diane Kruger
Rating R
Release Date July 8th, 2016
“A Pulitzer-winning writer grapples with being a widower and father after a mental breakdown, while, 27 years later, his grown daughter struggles to forge connections of her own.”
Fathers & Daughters is a drama directed by Gabriele Muccino, who previously directed The Pursuit of Happiness and Seven Pounds, both starring Will Smith. He seems to have a preference for dramas that include a love story in one aspect or another. This latest project also has a stellar cast including Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls, Dear John), and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad, Triple 9).
Fathers & Daughters is an emotionally charged drama sure to satisfy viewers craving more than a recycled script with an unsatisfyingly predictable story. Although overly ambitious, this is a film that deserves its fair share of appreciation, if only for the sheer will to tell an emotionally complicated story sure to pull at the heart strings. The film is not without its faults and certain aspects of the story felt incredibly rushed, reminding me of what you generally experience with a film adaptation of a book, which is not the case here. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of the film shines through in the end, leaving a sad, yet optimistic lasting impression.
The acting in Fathers & Daughters is without question the biggest check mark for the film. As I mentioned before, the film is definitely overly ambitious, primarily with the script, but the performances of the talented cast help to cover any potential blemishes. Veteran actor Russell Crowe delivers yet another spectacular performance in his role as a determined father fighting an uphill battle. Amanda Seyfried shines as a woman haunted by a traumatic youth, and former Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul delivers a very believable performance, continuing to prove that he can play just about any role. It would be wrong for me not to point out the very effective performance delivered by young actress, Kylie Rogers in the role of young Katie.
Fathers & Daughters is a powerful film that requires all of your attention as well as an abundance of empathy. Unlike many of the aptly named “tear jerkers” released in the past decade or so, this is a film that demands emotion organically and works very hard for each and every tear you may or may not shed during the just under 2-hour film. If you can appreciate a well-written, emotional story with well above average acting, Fathers & Daughters will suit you just fine.
