This Is My Father (1999)

Great Film overall

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I think mainly you have to understand that in the 1930s The Catholic Church was above all, they invoked huge fear into people and people knew no better, and they were in a life where they had to live in a way that would not go against the church's teaching. This film really give the best historical account of Irish life of the 1930s, it shows the old parish dances and the way people worked, and how their lives were so set out in a way that wouldn't really give them much freedom. This is shown especially in the scenes where the locals go to Croagh Patrick, the priest tells them that they all are expected to be there, that coming from a priest back then was like an order from the president. Also in the scene where Fiona sneaks over to see Kierán after he was told in confession to stop seeing her and not kiss or think "unclean thoughts" of her anymore, that particular scene shows the fear and gullibility of the Irish Catholics of the time. Afterwards in the barn where Kierán tells Fiona that he asked god to help him to stop thinking about her and it hasn't stopped, this kind of showed a form of thinking that if you pray for help and the help isn't given, what you feel is how you're meant to feel. All in all it's a brilliant film and account of Irish life in the 1930s

The Quinn brothers have created one of the most affecting films I've seen. In fact, I have not been able to forget this film. It deals with the effect of organized religion on ordinary people. It also deals with the strict class system in Ireland. When the monied class is combined with the local religious authority, the results can be devastating. James Caan gives a beautiful, gentle, thoughtful performance. Every part of this film is right on. The scenes of Ireland, the time period, costumes, the look of the characters. The story is a very human tale. We are likely to wish to know whatever secrets our family may have. Yet, there is certain fear that this knowledge may change our love and family dynamic. The past forms the present and the future, if we know it or not.

"This Is My Father" is not particularly original about Irish families, from "Circle of Love" etc. and Alice McDermott's book "Charming Billy" among many others, but it is lovely.I like Aidan Quinn in just about anything, and I appreciate that this is a familial labor of love as one brother wrote and directed and another brother turns out to be a terrific cinematographer.The music is OK Celtic, not that special, though I think I recall that Sharon Shannon was the fiddler.The film is mostly good for an unsentimental look at how vicious small towns can be to live in. This is not a sentimental look at the olde sod.James Caan is quite good.(originally written 5/20/99)

A teacher (James Caan) finds some photos that let him know his mother hadn't been truthful about who his father was. He takes his troubled grandson and heads to a small village in Ireland to seek out the truth, what he find is a very romantic and rich story of the past. I wouldn't have thought James Caan would have been the best actor for this role, but he definitely pulled it off well...as did the supporting cast. As with most films shot in Ireland, you can't help but be taken by the scenery. A lesser known film that's worth a look.*** (out of 4)