FATHERS & DAUGHTERS
US, 2015, 116 minutes, Colour.
Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Kylie Rogers, Aaron Paul, Diane Kruger, Bruce Greenwood, Jane Fonda, Octavia Spencer, Janet Mc Teer, Quvenzhane Wallis.
Directed by Gabriele Muccino.
Fathers & Daughters is a film of emotion, and for many audiences, tears.
The film was directed by Italian Gabriele Muccino, The Last Kiss as well as English-language films including The Pursuit of Happyness.
The film is a star vehicle for Russell Crowe as well as for Amanda Seyfried – and the young actress, Kylie Rogers, who is introduced in the film. Russell Crowe is the father, Jake, and the two actresses portray the daughter, younger and older.
The film intertwines two time spans: the daughter, Katie, and her younger years; the older Katie 25 years later.
The film opens with a car accident, Katie’s mother being killed, her father injured and having to spend time in a mental institution and suffering seizures. He is a celebrated author. His daughter has to go into the care of his sister in law and her husband (Diane Kruger and Bruce Greenwood), Jake wanting to retrieve Katie on his release, setting up house with her, bonding with her. He writes a novel but is not successful – and Jane Fonda plays his agent. He has seizures, is violent, and the in-laws take him to court for custody of Katie.
Jake spends a lot of time writing an autobiographical personal novel, sometimes alienating Katie but she continuing in devotion to him. It is Fathers & Daughters. But he dies.
The film shows Katie Is a Very confused adult, having studied psychology but not understanding herself, even going to a therapist (Janet Mc Teer). She does social work under the supervision of Dr Corman (Octavia Spencer) and a successful work with a child grieving her mother (Quvenzhanie Wallis).
Katie is also promiscuous, the film indicating that this is a result of her upbringing and undefined relationships. However, she encounters Cameron (Aaron Paul) aspiring writer who loves her and she loves him – with the possibility of finding a future but somehow rather compelled to spoil the prospects. The end does offer some hope.
1. The title? Jake and Katie in their lives? Intertwining? The book? The impact on Katie?
2. The two time periods, Katie as a child, in the car, with her mother and father quarrelling, the crash, her mother’s death, her father’s injury? The years of her being young? The contrast with Katie as an adult, at University, social work, bars and apartments, life in New York?
3. The editing and interconnection between the two time periods?
4. The situation, Jake, his affair, the argument in the car, Katie listening, the crash, her mother’s death, Katie safe, Jake and his condition, the discussion with the doctors, his going to an institution, his seizures? The months in the institution? Katie going to her aunt and uncle, her being upset? The happy life with the relations, with her cousins? Jake getting out of the institution, his agent picking him up? His arriving home, wanting to take Katie away?
5. Jake and Katie at home, the outings, love? His calling her Potato Chips? At school? J Jake and his attack on Elizabeth and William? His angers? Going to the social with Katie, his assaulting William?
6. Writing his book, reading it to the agent? Her getting it published? The book reading, the negative reviews? William and his threat to adopt Katie? Jake getting legal advice, the costs, the plans? The effect on him, devoting his energies to writing the book, fathers and daughters, the effect on Katie, moments of alienation? Jake and his seizures, while signing the autographs? William and his adultery and the case lapsing? Jake, collapse, death, his funeral? The agent and her tribute to the gathered assembly?
7. Katie has an adult, 25 years later, a sense of loss? University, studying psychology, yet not understanding herself? The sessions with the therapist and the Frank questions her therapist asked her? Trying to explain her promiscuity? Her work with Dr Corman, social work, the encounter with Lucy, Lucy not speaking, the time spent with her, coaxing her out of her sorrow at her mother’s death, the outings, Lucie and Clay? The issue of adoption, Katie having to give her up, the farewell? Trawling the bars, the sexual encounters? Meeting Cameron, his love for her father’s books, the revelation? Giving him the gift of the manuscript? The bond, living together, but, Cameron wanting to be a writer, his story about the confrontation with the lion, his wanting to take her to dinner with his parents, her fears in the street? Going to the bar, the sexual encounter? The drunk a year later? Katie telling Cameron the truth, his disgust and leaving? Going to her aunt, asking for advice?
8. Her story as an adult intercut with the memories of her past?
9. Her sense of loss, returning to Cameron, his forgiveness and love, her declaration of love – and the possibilities for her life?
