“The Father” offers viewers an absorbing look at the difficulties of living with dementia, adapted from Florian Zeller’s 2012 play for the screen. Making his first time directing a feature film, Zeller brings a sense of deep feeling to the project, clearly connected to the original story. The movie has qualities reminiscent of a stage production, yet it manages to place viewers directly inside the main character's perspective in a way that’s unique to film. Anthony (played by Anthony Hopkins) is experiencing more and more disorientation as time goes on. Initially he can’t recall where his watch is, but later he loses track of whether it’s day or night. There are moments when he doesn’t recognize his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman), and he mistakes his caregiver Laura (Imogen Poots) for other people in his life more and more often. As Anthony's mental state continues to deteriorate rapidly, he begins to have intense mood swings triggered by the frustration of losing a lifetime of memories. He resists help from Anne, who is doing her best to support him. Adjusting to new circumstances can be tough, but Anthony’s suspicion increases as his sense of reality starts to fall apart. The film showcases strong performances from Hopkins and Coleman, both experienced actors who carry the dialogue-driven story. Their work is truly impressive. Zeller puts the audience in Anthony's position, sharing the old man’s mental state while he questions what is genuine and what isn’t. You might start to wonder if his daughter and nurse are intentionally deceiving him, with a feeling of uncertainty that spreads easily. Something feels off, and the confusing details create a puzzle without an obvious answer. The deliberate confusion feels somewhat contrived and the film moves slowly, but “The Father” provides a moving and impactful (though disheartening) portrayal from the viewpoint of someone battling dementia.

Source on TMDB