I have to say, I had some difficulty picturing Ewan McGregor growing into Albert Finney, but considering the narrative relies on bending reality, perhaps it's not so strange! These rather improbable situations are what initially created this family’s difficulties; the younger “Will” (played by Bully Crudup) has to come back after a three-year absence from his father “Ed” (Finney) when the latter receives a diagnosis of terminal cancer. An awkward calm settles between them as we understand that the young man's issues stem from believing in some of the wild tales his younger dad (McGregor) told him, leading to a sense of betrayal and deception over the years. One especially outlandish story involves Helena Bonham Carter as a neighbor whose glass eye supposedly foresees the impending death of the remarkably innocent “Will.” The only apparent way forward is for the father to admit his mistakes to his deeply disappointed son, which could potentially lead to some kind of understanding. However, "Edward" isn’t one for apologies, so a stalemate seems likely to prevent any chance of them reconciling. But what if there's actually some truth to the old man’s stories? The clever use of flashbacks and two strong performances from McGregor and Finney, who appears sparingly but makes an impact, contribute to the film's emotional depth as the absurdity that led to their estrangement gives way to more serious and significant questions about honesty. What does truth really mean, and must it be the same for everyone? Perhaps the younger “Will” needs to stop taking things at face value. As the movie unfolds, the story becomes increasingly heartfelt, and Crudup deserves a lot of credit as this character study progresses amidst tragedy—hopefully not a double one. The shifting timelines work effectively, allowing the film to explore two distinct periods with all the creative advantages that offers. It’s unusual, quite amusing, and definitely worth investing a couple of hours in.

Source on TMDB