Our Father is a heart-wrenching drama movie that explores the strained relationship between a father and his adult daughter. The movie stars Baize Buzan, Allison Torem, and Tim Hopper. It was directed by Bradley Grant Smith and written by Grant Smith and Matt Porter. The movie starts with an unexpected visit from Allison (played by Buzan) to her estranged father, Jim (played by Hopper). Allison is a struggling actress who has just lost her job and her boyfriend, and she decides to reach out to her father, whom she hasn't seen in years. Jim lives in a run-down apartment complex in Chicago and works as a janitor in a local church.
The initial encounter between Jim and Allison is awkward and tense. Jim is a man of few words, and he seems to resent Allison for leaving him and her mother when she was just a teenager. Allison, on the other hand, is angry at her father for not being there for her when she needed him the most.
As the movie progresses, we learn more about the circumstances that led Allison to leave her family behind. We also see the toll that Jim's isolation and regret have taken on him. He is a broken man, haunted by his past mistakes and unable to connect with the people around him.
Allison's presence forces Jim to confront his demons and to confront the fact that he has been a terrible father. The two start to bond over their shared love of music and their mutual respect for one another's talents. However, their newfound closeness is threatened by the arrival of Emily (played by Torem), Allison's half-sister.
Emily is a devout Christian and a successful businesswoman who works for the church where Jim is employed. She sees Allison as a threat to her relationship with Jim and tries to drive a wedge between them. Emily is also struggling with her own demons, and she feels guilty for not being able to save her mother from her illness.
The conflict between Allison and Emily leads to a series of emotional confrontations, revealing the deep-seated resentments and traumas that have plagued the family for years. In the end, the three protagonists are forced to confront their past and their present, to forgive themselves and each other, and to find a way to move forward, as a family.
Our Father is a powerful drama movie that tackles complex themes such as family dynamics, religion, forgiveness, and redemption. The movie is elevated by its nuanced performances, especially by Buzan, who gives a raw and vulnerable portrayal of a woman struggling to reconnect with her roots. Hopper is equally impressive in his portrayal of a man whose regret and pain have driven him to withdraw from the world. Torem's performance adds a terrific layer of tension and emotional complexity to the story.
The movie is also notable for its understated direction and cinematography, which capture the gritty reality of urban life without resorting to cheap visual tricks or sentimentalism. The musical score, composed by Patrick Friel, is a standout feature of the movie, with its haunting melodies and melancholic tones perfectly complementing the mood and themes of the story.
In conclusion, Our Father is a must-watch movie for anyone who enjoys powerful drama movies that explore the complexities of human relationships. It is a deeply moving and thought-provoking story that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll.