18 Comments
User's avatar
Kelley Baker's avatar

Thanks Jim. A really great piece and certainly something to think about. I hope all is well my friend.

Kyle Wilson's avatar

So great and comprehensive! Was waiting for the Mason Sr. shoutout and loved to see it

Jim Fields's avatar

Hi Kyle,

Thanks for reading my post! Yes, I think Ethan Hawke's father in "Boyhood" is a really interesting character.

Robert Machin's avatar

Martin ‘Chief’ Brody in Jaws, too…

Jim Fields's avatar

I didn't think about him - great choice!

Robert Machin's avatar

I think George Bailey would have been a good dad, notwithstanding occasional flashes of temper…

Jim Fields's avatar

Yes, I think so too. Thanks for reading my post!

paul warshauer's avatar

YES. Jim you have selected everyone of my favorite Dads. Good list and rationale.

Jim Fields's avatar

Hi Paul,

Great! Thanks for reading my post!

Charlotte Simmons's avatar

Much love on this one, Jim! Perlman's monologue, and the character more broadly, is a one-of-a-kind treasure indeed.

Jim Fields's avatar

Hi Charlotte,

Yes! I think one of the reasons why that movie is so great is because of James Ivory's oscar-winning script. He did a fantastic job of adapting the original novel. Thanks for reading!

Decarceration's avatar

There's a bit in "The Squid And The Whale" when Jeff Daniels is hanging out with his youngest son and explains what a "philistine" is and the kid eagerly exclaims, "That's me! I'm a philistine!" And Daniels is like, no you're not, and he begins ascribing certain traits to him that his father clearly WISHES his eight year old kid would embody. And the kids like, "Yep. I'm a philistine!" You can see Jeff Daniels' soul leaving his body. It's amazing, and to an extent, many fathers' nightmare.

Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com

Jim Fields's avatar

Hi Decarceration,

Yes! That's a great scene. I think "Squid" is an absolutely brilliant movie - in my opinion, Baumbach has never topped it. Thanks for reading my post!

Michael's avatar

Peter Otoole My Favourite Year

Michael's avatar

Terence Stamp in “ The Limey” a close second.

Jim Fields's avatar

Great choice! I love that movie.

PM D'Auria's avatar

Great article!!

Jim Fields's avatar

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)