Here is a look at some of the best films about the complexities of fatherhood and what it means to be present and support your children.
Boyhood (2014)
Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is one of the most unique films, not only about the father-son relationship, but perhaps of all-time. The emotionally charged film, starring Ethan Hawke and Ellar Coltrane as a father and son, was shot in intervals over a 12-year period to show the realistic aging of the cast members, while also highlighting the changing nature of the relationship between Coltrane’s character, Mason, and his father, Mason Sr. Patricia Arquette plays Mason’s mother, who is divorced from his father.
The film begins when Mason is a young child and ends with him going off to college. The moments between the beginning and end of the film highlight the joys of fatherhood, as well as the complications that arise as Mason and his sister Sam gets older. The audience also sees how Hawke’s Mason Sr. transforms throughout the film, going from a divorced dad trying to be the fun parent to accepting responsibility and his role as a teacher and caretaker.
“Over the course of the film’s two-and-a-half hour running time, Mason Sr.’s development runs in relative parallel to his namesake’s,” wrote Amma Marfo in a review of Boyhood. “In many ways, the two help each other grow.”
Aftersun (2022)
Another critically acclaimed film, Aftersun looks at fatherhood from the perspective of a child and explores the themes of loss, grief, and memory. Sophie, an adult in the present day, is remembering a trip she took with her father 20 years prior at a Turkish resort, looking through old photos and recalling memories as she strives to further understand her father. Her father Calum, played by Paul Mescal, is far from perfect, leaving her by herself at points in the film and dealing with his own internal turmoil. However, it is clear that he loves his daughter. Collider described the film as a “love letter to all the dads who always try to do their best, even when they’re struggling.”
Mescal received his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Calum, while the film earned multiple awards at film festivals. Charlotte Wells, in her directorial debut, received the First Touch Prize of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Directed by Gabriele Muccino, The Pursuit of Happyness is based on the true story of Christopher Gardner’s rise from a down-on-his-luck salesperson to securing a full-time job at a brokerage, all while experiencing homelessness, taking care of his son, and navigating drama and tension with his wife. It’s a story of perseverance that has an authenticity in its depiction of fatherhood, due in large part to Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith playing the roles of Gardner and his son Christopher Jr.
King Richard (2021)
Fifteen years after being a runner-up for the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in The Pursuit of Happyness, Smith won the award for his performance in King Richard, a biographical sports drama about Richard Williams and his two daughters, Venus and Serena. Before they were even born, Richard had already developed a plan for his daughters to become tennis superstars and is steadfast in his commitment to helping them reach his and their goals.
The film highlights how Richard fought for what he believed was best for his daughters at every turn, while also showing his unwavering support and guidance in a predominantly white, upper-class sport. Venus and Serena executive produced the film not only as a tribute to their father, but also to shine a light on positive Black role models.
Beautiful Boy (2018)
Beautiful Boy is a coming-of-age drama about addiction and survival based on the best-selling memoirs of father and son David and Nic Sheff, portrayed in the film by Steve Carrell and Timothée Chalamet, respectively. Directed by Felix van Groeningen, the film depicts the progressively strained relationship between David and his son, who is in and out of rehab for drug addiction and at times experiencing homelessness. The film ends with father and son embracing in the hospital after Nic had another overdose, but it’s revealed before the credits that he has been sober nine years thanks to the continued support of his loved ones, including his father.
C’mon C’mon (2021)
A black-and-white film directed by Mike Mills and starring Joaquin Phoenix, C’mon C’mon is a reminder that fatherhood is about more than blood. Phoenix stars as radio journalist Johnny, who looks after his young nephew Jesse, played by Woody Norman, after his sister travels to Oakland to help her estranged husband, who has bipolar disorder.
