“Kramer vs. Kramer”, 1979
Director: Robert Benton
After his wife leaves him, a father must learn to take care of his young son on his own, leading to a custody battle that challenges their relationship.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander, Justin Henry, Howard Duff, George Coe, JoBeth Williams, Bill Moor, Howland Chamberlain, Jack Ramage;
Production year: 1979;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Kramer vs. Kramer” on the website imdb.com
“Mrs. Doubtfire”, 1993
Director: Chris Columbus
A father disguises himself as a female housekeeper in order to spend time with his children after a messy divorce.
Starring: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Fierstein, Polly Holliday, Lisa Jakub, Matthew Lawrence, Mara Wilson, Robert Prosky, Anne Haney;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Mrs. Doubtfire” on the website imdb.com
“The Pursuit of Happyness”, 2006
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Based on a true story, this film follows a father who faces homelessness while trying to provide a better life for his son.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, Takayo Fischer, Kevin West, George Cheung;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Pursuit of Happyness” on the website imdb.com
“The Descendants”, 2011
Director: Alexander Payne
A father must reconnect with his daughters after his wife is involved in a boating accident and falls into a coma.
Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause, Beau Bridges, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer, Robert Forster, Rob Huebel, Mary Birdsong;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Descendants” on the website imdb.com
“Boyhood”, 2014
Director: Richard Linklater
This coming-of-age film follows a boy as he grows up with an absent father who intermittently re-enters his life.
Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, Libby Villari, Elijah Smith, Steven Chester Prince, Bonnie Cross, Sydney Orta, Marco Perella;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 166 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Boyhood” on the website imdb.com
“Manchester by the Sea”, 2016
Director: Kenneth Lonergan
A man must confront his painful past and his role in a tragic event that led to the death of his children.
Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges, Ivy O'Brien, C.J. Wilson, Anna Baryshnikov, Gretchen Mol, Heather Burns, Jami Tennille;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Manchester by the Sea” on the website imdb.com
“Lady Bird”, 2017
Director: Greta Gerwig
The protagonist navigates her strained relationship with her father as she prepares to leave for college.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Lois Smith, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Odeya Rush, Jordan Rodrigues;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Lady Bird” on the website imdb.com
“Beautiful Boy”, 2018
Director: Felix van Groeningen
Based on a true story, a father struggles to help his son overcome drug addiction while dealing with his own feelings of guilt and helplessness.
Starring: Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura Tierney, Amy Ryan, Kaitlyn Dever, Andre Royo, Timothy Hutton, Jack Dylan Grazer, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Amy Forsyth;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
“The Farewell”, 2019
Director: Lulu Wang
A young woman grapples with her relationship with her father and her cultural identity as they navigate a family secret.
Starring: Awkwafina, Zhou Shuzhen, X Mayo, Lu Hong, Lin Hong, Ma Tzi, Diana Lin, Yang Xuejian, Becca Khalil, Jiang Yongbo;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
“Hillbilly Elegy”, 2020
Director: Ron Howard
A man reflects on his tumultuous upbringing and his complicated relationship with his mother and absent father.
Starring: Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso, Haley Bennett, Freida Pinto, Bo Hopkins, Owen Asztalos, Jesse C. Boyd, Stephen Kunken, Keong Sim;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Hillbilly Elegy” on the website imdb.com
In reflecting on the selection of films that delve into the complex theme of absent fathers, it becomes evident that these narratives serve as poignant explorations of the impact of parental absence on individuals’ lives. Through varied genres and storytelling approaches, these films offer nuanced portrayals of characters grappling with feelings of abandonment, longing for connection, and ultimately seeking resolution and understanding. Each film contributes to a larger conversation about the importance of familial relationships and the profound effects that absent fathers can have on individuals, showcasing the resilience and growth that can emerge from such challenging circumstances. Overall, this collection of films sheds light on the emotional complexities of father-child relationships and invites viewers to contemplate the enduring power of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the face of absence.
