Movies for Father’s Day
When I gave suggestions for movies to watch with mothers on Mother’s Day, I was doing it knowing my mother doesn’t watch many movies. Thus my suggestions were based on the fact that my mom would probably say she liked any half decent movie with a normal plot that’s not too violent or gory. My only rule was involving a strong female role and trying to make that role maternal when possible. Considering that women are severely underused in film compared to men, this made the pool of movies I could grab smaller and more defined.
When I thought about what I would write for movies to watch with fathers I had a much harder time. Not because I couldn’t think of anything, but because I was thinking of too many. My dad watches a lot more movies than my mom, and his tastes are much more refined. He also doesn’t mind some violence and gore – although he refused to see 127 Hours because of the arm scene even though I know he would like it. Also, considering nearly every film has a strong male character in it – many of which are fathers – this list will not even scratch the surface of the number of possibilities.
Raising Arizona and The Weather Man
Why He Will Like Them:
I included these together because they both star Nicolas Cage and they both deal with fatherhood, albeit in completely different ways. In The Weather Man, Cage is both a struggling father trying to juggle his job with his kid’s while trying to come to terms with his wife’s new fiance, and also a son struggling with the imminent death of his father. Raising Arizona is also about a struggling father, only his child is “adopted” and he quickly comes to find he’s not quite ready to be the father he should be.
Why You Will Like Them:
They are both funny. The Weather Man is a very realistic look at a father trying to find some common ground with his kids, and I think both fathers and sons/daughters alike can appreciate how awkward that can be sometimes. As for Raising Arizona, I’m not sure how anyone could not like this movie. It’s one of the most hilarious movies I’ve ever seen.
Father Figures You Might Want to Avoid:
Basically any movie where a father figure is abusive – and there are many – like Radio Flyer, The Stepfather, The Shining, Sling Blade, and The Amityville Horror.
Million Dollar Baby
Why He Will Like It:
There aren’t that many really good movies with a father/daughter relationship and even less when the daughter is an adult. I know she’s not technically his daughter in this, but the dynamic is there. Also, your dad has more than likely grown up during Clint Eastwood‘s rise through Hollywood and this could be a great chance to introduce him to some of his later works.
Why You Will Like It:
I added this specifically as a father/daughter watch but obviously a son can enjoy it too. For whatever reasons boxing movies tend to be the best sport’s movies overall, and this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s also the only one I can think of where the main boxer is a woman.
Daddy/Daughter Movies For the Non-Sports Lovers:
Fans of comedy may enjoy Mrs. Doubtfire and Father of the Bride. Neither are amazing, but both will bring some laughs.
Big Fish
Why He Will Like It:
It’s a story about a grown up son learning to better appreciate and understand his father shortly before his death. Chances are your dad was someone’s son, so he can appreciate coming to better understand a parent with age. Also, your dad has at least one kid – that’s you – that he probably hopes will understand him. It’s a beautiful double threat which I guarantee will have your father at least a little misty – unless he lacks tear ducts or is a robot.
Why You Will Like It:
Remember when Tim Burton was good? Yeah, that basically ended shortly after this movie when his love affair with Johnny Depp was reignited. This was when he had to direct actors and couldn’t just say, “OK Johnny, in this scene I want you to be weird. ACTION!” Why can’t those two recreate the magic they had in Ed Wood? Such a bummer.
A Few Other Father and Son Movies:
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is great and Return of the Jedi is good but who hasn’t seen those? The Road and The Bicycle Thieves are a great choice if you want to put you and your father in a dark depression. I’m going to have to go animated here and say Finding Nemo. Does he find Nemo? Watch it and find out.
To Kill A Mockingbird
Why He Will Like It:
I would be in deep trouble if I didn’t mention this because this is one of my dad’s favorite movies. Atticus Finch was probably who your father would have envisioned himself being as a dad, full of integrity and honor and always ready to teach his children a valuable lesson. He didn’t shower his kid’s with love and affection, but was always there when they needed them. He was a rock and every single person in the community thought he was a great dad.
Why You Will Like It:
It’s in the upper echelon of book to film adaptations. Gregory Peck is absolutely brilliant and it has a great story. It also has that all important message of “racism sucks” and if you don’t like this movie it probably means you’re a racist… just saying.
Suggestion for the People Who Refuse to Watch Black and White Movies (a.k.a. jerks):
Boyz ‘N the Hood has a very similar father figure. Laurence Fishburne may not be the affectionate type in this film, but he was always there for his son.
Super 8
Why He Will Like It:
It’s the safest ‘Currently in Theaters’ bet I can make for mass appeal, but that shouldn’t take anything away from it. There is a decent father/son relationship in the story and if your dad is in the 45ish age range he can relate directly to these kids ages and the time period. Also, it might remind him of when he showed you to E.T. for the first time when you were still just a little tyke who believed your dad was the greatest guy in the world. Then you became old and jaded and picked up all his bad habits. Why not give him 2 hours of the better times?
Why You Will Like It:
In a non-banner year for movies, this stands out as one worth seeing. It’s also very much worth the trip to the theater. I saw it in IMAX and was impressed. I’m not sure if they shot it with actual IMAX cameras, but the fact that it was bigger was good enough for me.
Other Movies In Theaters for Dad:
You know what he likes more than I do, but I can say Midnight in Paris is good if your dad likes Woody Allen. X-Men: First Class is good and Thor is decent if he likes super hero movies. Kung Fu Panda 2 would also be worth a watch if your dad enjoyed the first one or martial arts movies.
And this is for the people who are stewing at their computers right now because I haven’t already listed this movie, regardless of how obvious and cliched of a choice it is…
The Godfather
Why He Will Like It:
Because it’s The Godfather.
Why You Will Like It:
Because it’s The Godfather.
The Only Thing People Who Would Be Mad If I Left This Movie Out Would Think Can Compete With It:
The Godfather II: Electric Boogaloo
Happy Father’s Day!
As a father myself, Finding Nemo resonates with me in a huge way. Of course, it did even before I had kids, but my daughter was born not too long after I saw it the first time. Probably a good reason why it’s my favorite animated film of all time.
Is there any list where The Godfather wouldn’t fit? Great, great film.