In My Father's Den (2004)
Adult themes, medium level sex scenes, medium level coarse language, drug use
Who you set out to be isn't always who you become.
Paul (Macfadyen), a prize-winning war journalist, returns to his remote New Zealand hometown due to the death of his father, battle-scarred and world-weary. For the discontented sixteen-year-old Celia (Barclay) he opens up a world she has only dreamed of. She actively pursues a friendship with him, fascinated by his cynicism and experience of the world beyond her small-town existence. But many, including the members of both their families (Otto, Moy), frown upon the friendship and when Celia goes missing, Paul becomes the increasingly loathed and persecuted prime suspect in her disappearance. As the violent and urgent truth gradually emerges, Paul is forced to confront the family tragedy and betrayal that he ran from as a youth, and to face the grievous consequences of silence and secrecy that has surrounded his entire adult life.
| Status: | LongWait |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 122mins |
| Origin: | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (46)
46 Member
Reviews
MLV
says
A quiet, thoughtful, well acted movie with a surprise ending. I enjoyed it.
CC
says
This is a fantastic movie for those who like to think. Matthew MacFayden gives a compelling performance as a man so damaged by past events that he keeps everyone at a cool arm's-length while simultaneously behaving recklessly. Why is he like this? That is the puzzle at the core of this movie. Emily Barclay gives a lovely performance as a young person struggling to grow beyond her small-town existence, and enveigles herself into Paul's life by reminding him of his own youth in that same small town.
Cindy
says
Glacially slow to begin with, but a strong and rather haunting conclusion will reward those prepared to go along for the journey.
Tab
says
Slow. Disjointed. Confusing. Woeful.
Watched to the end hoping it would come together. It never did.
juliekym
says
A good movie, well worth watching.
BrianM
says
Muddled, confusing dysfunctional family drama set in NZ. Multi flashbacks confuse rather than always enlighten leaving one slightly befuddled. Huge red herrings inserted to throw you off the "key" surprise. McFadyen is excellent. Emily Barclay who was lauded for this film spoke so fast she was difficult to understand. NZ locations (near Chrustchuirch?) were a positive. This could have been a very good film but needed a more staightforward approach, in my opinion.
Lucy C.
says
Takes ages to get going but once it does its very good.
Denise
says
Not what I was expecting at all. But an interesting little movie - good storyline, well acted. Worth a look but not a world beater.
Karen
says
Good Drama, interesting but "thriller" I wouldn't call it. Story-line was well presented and the "flash-backs" of his life and his father gave the movie more depth. Worth watching
Chris D.
says
I have never liked the lead actor, but he was quite excellent in this. This is a deep, rich and surprisingly busy film. My only quibble is that the sound can be very light and there are no subtitle options (there are some conversations that were obviously crucial and I missed a couple of sentences due to poor sound and odd accents). Very pretty and a ripping soundtrack too. It is full of the sort of tragedies of family life that have a solid ring of authenticity about them.
Liz C.
says
This is a tense little pot boiler and well worth more than one look. The plot unfolds slowly but it's always intriguing. Matthew MacFadyen gives a truly astonishing performance as the world weary photographer returning to his home town. He is ably matched by the wonderful Emily Barclay around whom the plot centres.
Chris P.
says
A film with great potential ruined by incomprehensible dialogue. This film has all the right ingredients to make a great film: a complex, intriguing plot, strong performances by its actors and cinematography of New Zealand's bucolic scenic. Unfortunately, much of the dialogue is rendered incomprehensible, not by Kiwi accents, but rather muttering, whispering and mumbling. If only the DVD release came with English subtitles.
Nigel W.
says
Somewhat slow, laboured and predictable drama about the prodigal son who returns to the small town of his birth and disturbs the skeletons in his family's closet.
Barbara C.
says
A very good movie that really sets you thinking as it all comes together in the dramatic ending.
Naomi O.
says
A dark, layered and wonderful movie, very emotional. Emily Barclay's acting is particularly impressive.
Frankie
says
Wonderful story telling, full of emotion, best film I have seen in a long time.
Alex H.
says
Great acting. A complex story that sets you thinking
Valerie P.
says
Heide E.
says
I am a great fan of Matthew MacFayden's and he did not disappoint me in this film. The plot, however, is very slow to develop and seems confusing at times. Not as good as I had hoped it to be.
Anne H.
says
Patricia A.
says
Too slow.
Helen S.
says
An unusually, dark and twisted kiwi family drama that slowly starts to grip and involve you until you are completely drawn in. The acting is very impressive, especially the young lead who plays "Celia". Matthew Macfadyen is excellent as always. Definitely worth watching.
Patricia A.
says
I don't know what to make of this movie. I seem to be picking all the arty-farty ones lately. I enjoyed it to some extent but it was very slow. Maybe I was just too tired cause I didn't finish watching it.
Jeff
says
A brilliant movie. Not perfect by any means, but what dark elements some
families are capable of hiding until someone dies and the truth somehow reveals
itself. "Father's Den" got into the art-house circuit, but deserves a wider
release. It's probably not for the action at all costs teen set. You have to really
think and be totally involved in this tragic story with so many layers. Top class
entertainment.
Audrey C.
says
Sonya K.
says
A really slow start that very nearly put me off, and seemed to jump around a bit. But I would suggest that you stick with it because it all comes together in the end with a plot that is different to what you may have thought. I liked it.
Eric H.
says
filmasart
says
Once again another 'heart rendering' beautiful NZ film with the social perspective of a sledge hammer - well deserving of its praise and awards.
Gerd H.
says
A great movie - the NZers always seem to come up with good ones! It gets a bit confusing as it goes on, so you will need to be alert as to what's happening!
Elizabeth D.
says
Susan D.
says
quite confronting, enjoyed
Janet B.
says
Good but slow at times.
Janet
says
Great acting and fantastic photography work. However the story jumped back and forth and was all over the place. The ending was confusing - which was the true ending??? It did make you think though which most Hollywood films do not.
I have never seen a happy New Zealand film! Are there any?
Rod
says
I knew very little about this movie before I rented it and only watched it because I wanted to see more movies with Matthew MacFadyn after seeing him in Pride and Prejudice. I loved this movie and got totally hooked very early into it. Great performances, unexpected twist and very real emotionally. One of the best movies I've seen in ages.
lynnie
says
We had to have the volume right up to understand what they were saying given strong NZ & UK accents. A good who-dunnit type film once it got going.
Brian G.
says
A tedious movie, with a somewhat convoluted plot, and inadequately defined characters. The broad and clipped accents made it a difficult movie to follow.
Lynda O.
says
Great acting. Wonderful movie a must to see.
Mary Ann C.
says
Vinni R.
says
Brenda B.
says
Typically dark movie from New Zealand. Great movie. Loved the scenery as well..
Alyson D.
says
Adapted from the Maurice Gee novel of the same name, In My Father's Den is a story about the legacy of family relationships and about how the past can frame the future. Great characters and interesting twists - a movie to get you thinking.
Greg W.
says
morrissy
says
A great drama from New Zealand (without an Orc in sight), with a mature plot and solid performances from the entire cast. With the return of prodigal son, Paul, to small-town New Zealand, all sorts of skeletons come out of the closet to confront him and his left-behind family members and loved ones. It's filmed lyrically and sometimes languidly, which left me with the sense of almost smelling the ever-present rain in the film.
Margaret Gillespie
says
Elaine Burgess
says
Elaine Burgess
says