Today is Father’s Day, and sadly my beloved step-father who raised me, passed away last October. My step-father encouraged me to follow my passion and saw my potential as a writer. He would be the first person I would turn to for advice and also bounce ideas off. He helped nurture my passion for film and introduced me to some incredible films which I am extremely grateful for.
It’s hard to express my gratitude in words and I am still struggling to comprehend losing someone who was a major part of my life. There are some days where I completely forget he is no longer here and I find myself picking up the phone to talk to him about a film I recently saw or to ask him the name of a certain film he made me watch as a kid. I don’t know if I will ever fully recover from this loss, but I owe to my father to keep writing about my passion and following my dream to become a professional film critic.
When my Dad first passed away, I found myself compiling a list on LetterBoxd of all the films that he introduced me to and I would like to take the time to discuss a few of them in this piece and why they hold a special place in my heart. I would recommend that you seek some of these films out if you can because they really helped me appreciate the art of filmmaking and understand the language of film.
Thank you, Dad, for believing in me and for seeing my potential. I never got the chance to tell you how much you meant to me, but I hope I can encourage others to see these wonderful films you introduced me to. Happy Father’s Day.
Dark Passage (1947) Dir. Delmer Daves
Way before I even knew what ‘Film Noir’ was, my father introduced me to this classic Noir. Dark Passage is a film that doesn’t really get enough attention and is probably overlooked in favor for the Bogart/Bacal noir ”The Big Sleep” but in my personal opinion ”Dark Passage” is perhaps slightly better. The film tells the story of Vincent Parry (Humphrey Bogart) who has just escaped from prison after being locked up for a crime he did not commit — murdering his wife. On the outside, Vincent finds that his face is betraying him, literally, so he finds a plastic surgery to give him new features. After getting a ride out of town from a stranger, Vincent crosses paths with a young woman (Lauren Bacall) who decides to help him.
”Dark Passage” has some stunning use of POV camera work which forces you to identify with the character of Parry, even though we are conflicted whether to root for him. Watching this film as a child, I was enthralled by the seedy glamour of the crime world and the beauty of Lauren Bacall. Bogart is at the top of his game here. I believe that this film helped fuel my love for the crime/thriller genre, and my fascination for the ‘anti-hero’.
Ice Cold In Alex (1958) Dir. J. Lee Thompson
This was a personal family favorite in our household. Those who are from outside the U.. are probably unaware of the British war film, but it is very iconic in British film history. The film follows Captain Anson (John Mills) who is forced to leave his North African post when it becomes clear it will be invaded. Anson is on his way to Alexandria, Egypt, and looking forward to a nice cold beer. Before he gets there, though, circumstances pressure him to take on several passengers. Sister Diana Murdoch (Sylvia Syms) and Captain van der Poel (Anthony Quayle) prove to be excellent traveling companions, but Anson soon realizes that one of them is a German spy.
Mills is fantastic in this role and Syms is just wonderfully charming. This film has some truly memorable scenes, from Anson and his passengers attempting to push the Austin K2/Y ambulance, (nicknamed ‘Katy’ which is also the name of one of my sisters) up a sand dune, and the iconic ending in which Mills’ character finally gets his glass of lager. The scene would later be used in the 1980s in beer advertisements on television.
Carve Her Name With Pride (1958) Dir. Lewis Gilbert
Again, another WW2 film (we watched a lot of films about the Second World War in our household, being from an army family). ”Carve Her Name With Pride”, tells the true story of young English war-widow Violette Szabo (played by Virginia McKenna), who became a secret agent in occupied France during World War II. Exposed to the brutality of the Gestapo and life in the concentration camps, she found herself facing a continual struggle for survival, but through sheer courage, she eventually became the first woman to be awarded the George Cross.
You may not have come across this film, but you probably recognize McKenna from ”Born Free” (1966). McKenna, with her blonde hair, in fact physically bore little resemblance to her subject. The real Violette Szabo was a brunette with dark eyes who stood less than 5 ft 5in tall. Still, McKenna gives a phenomenal performance her and seeing this strong female character on screen was a real inspiration. The ending still gets me every time and brings tears to my eyes just writing about it.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Dir. Arthur Penn
It was thanks to my Dad that I seriously got into the New Hollywood film movement, and as a result, I became interested in film history by using ”Bonnie and Clyde” as a starting point to go back through other film movements such as the ‘French New Wave’ and ‘Italian Neo-Realism’. It was thanks to reading up on this film that I came across the wonderful reviews of Pauline Kael. ”Bonnie and Clyde” was a film that we would watch on endless repeats as children (probably shouldn’t have done considering how young we were!).
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Dir. Stanley Kubrick
My stepdad introduced me to many of Kubrick’s classics, including ”Spartcus” (1960), ”A Clockwork Orange” (1971) and ”Full Metal Jacket” (1986), however the first film I can recall watching from Kubrick’s filmography is 2001. I was 10 when I first watched it and while I liked the fact that I finally got those references in ‘The Simpsons’ I found it a long and very boring film. Still, I have learned to appreciate it all these years later and would like to thank my stepdad for showing me such an iconic film at such a young age. Personally, ”Dr. Strangelove” (1964) is my favorite Kubrick film, followed by ”Paths of Glory” (1957) which my dad also introduced me to.
Harold and Maude (1971). Dir. Hal Ashby
Hal Ashby is one of my all-time favorite directors and my stepdad introduced me to this cult classic when I was a teenager (as well as introducing me to Ashby’s masterpiece ”Being There” (1979)). This film follows Harold (Bud Cort) a dead-pan disillusioned 20-year-old obsessed with suicide. He meets Maude (Ruth Gordon), a fun-loving 80-year-old eccentric, at a funeral. Sparks fly and the two of them develop a taboo romantic relationship, in which they explore the tired theme of the meaning of life with a fresh perspective. If you haven’t managed to catch this film yet, then make sure you do!
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) Dir. Nagisa Oshima
David Bowie was a major part of my childhood growing up, I had a crush on his character in ”The Labyrinth” (1986) and we would all dance to his hit song ”Heroes”. I could mention the far more superior film, ”The Man Who Fell To Earth” (1976) but I still find ”Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” the film that I return to. Set in World War II, British soldier Jack Celliers (David Bowie) is captured by Japanese forces and held in a prison camp by the honor-bound Capt. Yanoi (Ryuichi Sakamoto). Yanoi and gruff Sgt. Hara (Takeshi) become intrigued by Celliers’ open defiance. Meanwhile, a translator, Lt. Col. John Lawrence (Tom Conti), attempts to find common ground between British and Japanese beliefs.
Bowie’s performance in this film is a career best. But, it is Oshima’s wonderful direction, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s music and Toichiro Narushima’s cinematography which truly stands out. Again, this is another film which brings me to tears every time I watch it.
Streets of Fire (1984) Dir. Walter Hill
Not all of the films my Stepdad introduced me to are classics! This box-office flop and “A Rock & Roll Fable” is perhaps more of a guilty pleasure rather than a must-see, but it still holds a special place in my heart. A mash-up of genres, this musical/action/neo-noir is a whole lotta fun. It stars Michael Paré as a mercenary who returns home to rescue his ex-girlfriend (Diane Lane) who has been kidnapped by the leader of a biker gang (Willem Dafoe). Growing up, my siblings and I would watch this film on repeat and it helped to fuel my life-long obsession with the brilliant Dafoe who needs an Oscar goddamnit!
The Mosquito Coast (1986) Dir. Peter Weir
In what is one of Harrison Ford’s most underrated films, and is perhaps his best performance, Weir’s ”The Mosquito Coast” is a film that I really urge people to seek out. The film tells the story of a family that leaves the United States and tries to find a happier and simpler life in the jungles of Central America.
However, their jungle paradise quickly turns into a dystopia as their stubborn father’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and aggressive. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that Paul Schrader had penned the screenplay. I think it is perhaps one of the most overlooked films of the 1980s and examines the role of a father to be a provider and to make the best decisions for their family by putting their own selfish needs to one side. The film is a modern day Greek tragedy.
The film was critically panned upon its release, which still hurts a little knowing that it received such negative reviews. Harrison Ford wonderfully defended the film in an interview, stating the following: ”This is the sort of movie that really doesn’t sink home for about three days. It is disturbing and makes you think. It stays with you.” I completely agree with Mr. Ford. It does stay with you.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) Dir. Terry Gilliam
Growing up the films of ”Monty Python” was a major part of my life and probably explain my surreal sense of humor. I still love Terry Gilliam’s work even though he has had a number of misfires recently and has become quite a controversial figure. My stepdad showed me ”Brazil” (1985), ”The Fisher King” (1991) and ”Twelve Monkeys” (1995) but ”Baron Munchausen” holds a special place in my heart for all of its sheer ambition and craziness.
This is the fantastic tale of an 18th century aristocrat Baron Munchausen (John Neville), his talented henchmen (featuring the likes of Eric Idle, Charles McKeown and Winston Dennis) and a little girl (played by Sarah Polley, yes that Sarah Polley) in their efforts to save a town from defeat by the Turks. Being swallowed by a giant sea-monster, a trip to the moon, a dance with Venus and an escape from the Grim Reaper are only some of the improbable adventures. I am still terrified of the Grim Reaper scenes!
Sadly, I can’t list every film that my father introduced me to in this piece. But, I would like to post the link to my list on LetterBoxd here and I know there are many, many more films he introduced me to which I will need to add. Thank you, Dad, for educating and for being such an important part of my life.