This movie was lying in my pen drive for quite some time
now. I kept on ignoring it thinking it to be a technical movie with a lot of
legal jargons, and keeping it as an entertainment of last resort. Meanwhile, I watched all Oscar nominated
movies, begin again (saw it twice!, my current personal fav, love keira),
whiplash (woah Simmons!), birdman (Emma , love u girl!) and spectacular now (
an ole one..). So, one hot Sunday afternoon, I finally played it, as I ran out
of other options. And boy! Was I in for a surprise!
This movie blew me off will be an understatement. I was hooked. And it touched a certain chord in me. The way it has explored the father and son relationship is just beautiful. Robert Downey Jr portrays the character spot on of a successful city lawyer who even when he is in his 40s is still waiting for his father’s pat on his back which he has never got. Robert Duvall as the father and a small town judge who tries to hold on to his self esteem even when he is facing a trial is commendable. The story unfolds with the demise of the judge’s wife and the lawyer’s mother which brings the son back to his hometown and so triggers many an explosive moments.
There were three scenes in the movie that I thought were the
highlights of the father and son relationship as well their character:
- When they are investigating the crime scene on a rainy day and the father screams that he is ready to take a hit with the trial rather than have a tainted reputation and the son taunting him of being a judge in “just another” small town and nobody gives a shit to his reputation.
- The heated exchange of words during the heavy storm and how Robert bares his feelings of being needed and literally begging for a word of appreciation from his father.
- The son washing and scrubbing his old father, putting to rest temporarily the differences and the concern and love taking over them.
While I know such movies can be highly predictable, but it
definitely leaves behind something to think about. I know my father can be a
very difficult person and I know he is not very vocal of his appreciations,
because they are not comfortable displaying their affections. They always criticise you thinking they are
making you a better person, but somewhere it leaves a hole behind. But what as a son or daughter needs to
understand is that that is who they are and they will not change but we being a
slightly open generation need to forgive that and be by their side whenever
they need us.
Another aspect that makes me wonder not particularly about this movie but generally. Why do most of the movies show a divorced, separated or a difficult guy having an only daughter? Does having a daughter show a softer side to their otherwise arrogant and strict persona. I am not sure. Views are welcome!
I will end this with this one scene that brought out a giggle from me. When Robert is given a lift by Vera (ex gf) in her car and Vera is accompanied by her daughter. I would not disclose what happened because that will be a spoiler but it was really funny and the look on Robert’s face on seeing the daughter is indescribable!
So hope you people enjoy it as much as I did, happy viewing!
