And When Did You Last See Your Father?

From the outset it is clear that And When Did You Last See Your Father? is going to be a heart-warming film, suitable for the whole family, but ever so more meaningful for mummy and daddy, and the members of the older generation. It tells the story of successful writer Blake (Colin Firth) who, when his father (Jim Broadbent) falls terminally ill with bowel cancer, is forced to analyse their tense relationship and delve into dark family secrets, searching for answers. Blake's life story is related through a series of flashbacks of his early childhood and teenage years that he experiences as he, his mother and sister nurse the deteriorating old man, and his wife and kids linger on the other end of the phone.

An adaptation of Blake Morrison's acclaimed memoir of the same name, this film boasts sensitive character development and an impressive honesty, both of Blake's relationship with his father and of his comfortable English upbringing. The cast are all perfectly suited and perform their roles cordially.

All in all the David Nicholls adapted and Anand Tucker directed film is perfect: but who wants a perfect film? There is no edge or obscurity, no flare or originality. It is a wholesomely shot wholesome account of the strains and stresses that bog many families down, and therefore become easy to identify with. But having said this, And When Did You Last See Your Father? is so flawless, with the right balance of humour and saddness, that it is one of those films that we all secretly love to watch.