This Is My Father
This Is My Father

Movie spotlight

This Is My Father

1999
Movie
119 min
English

When schoolteacher Kieran Johnson discovers that his father was not a French sailor (as he had been led to believe) but rather an Irish farmer, he looks to his mother for answers. When she refuses to provide any, Kieran travels to Ireland.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes57%
Metacritic56/100
Google Users72%
Director: Mike NewellGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

In 1930s Ireland, a young man named John marries his childhood sweetheart, Mary, and they begin a family. However, their lives are irrevocably changed when John discovers a dark secret about his father's past that forces him to confront his family's history and his own identity. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the lingering impact of hidden truths across generations.

Critical Reception

This Is My Father received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its atmospheric setting and emotional depth, others found its narrative to be somewhat predictable and slow-paced. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some appreciating the dramatic storyline and performances, while others felt it lacked a strong emotional connection.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its evocative depiction of rural Ireland and its exploration of familial secrets.

  • Criticized by some for a meandering plot and a lack of compelling character development.

  • The performances, particularly by the lead actors, were generally seen as a strong point.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate appreciation for the film's historical setting and the emotional journey of the protagonist. However, some viewers found the pacing to be too slow and the storyline to be less engaging than expected.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in County Clare, Ireland, and many of the scenes were filmed in the actual village where the story is set.

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