Review of A Loving Father

In the country of France, the writer Leo Shepherd (Gérard Depardieu) lives with his daughter Virginia (Sylvie Testud), who organizes his life. When the Swedish Academy awards Leo with the Nobel Prize for Literature, his son Paul (Guillaume Depardieu) unsuccessfully tries to contact him by phone, but Virginia does not allow Paul to talk to his father. Leo decides to go to Stockholm driving his motorcycle, and Paul follows him by car trying to speak with Leo. While trying to escape from Paul, Leo evolves in an accident on the road with another bike, a car and a truck and Paul kidnaps his slightly injured father. The police commit a mistake in the identification of one of the victims of the accident and announce the death of Leo. Meanwhile, Paul forces his father to listen to him, and along their conversation, a resentful relationship from both sides is disclosed.

"Aime Ton Père" is a deceptive movie about the relationship of a dysfunctional family that goes nowhere. The unpleasant and pointless story begins with a terrible development of characters, and it seems that Virginia is married with the black-haired guy (probably Arthur) and has an affair with the strong guy. The troubled relationship of Paul and Leo has accusations, resentments and pain but there is no final message. Further, there is no explanation why Leo has not written for three years. The conclusion of this empty story is absolutely disappointing. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "Meu Pai, Meu Filho" ("My Father, My Son")