I Never Sang for My Father

I recently discovered this absolute gem, which seems to be totally underrated.The movie features Melvin Douglas as the father of the title (Tom Garrison in the movie) and Gene Hackman as the son (Gene Garrison in the movie). Tom Garrison's drunken father deserted the family and his mother died when he was 10, leaving him to fend for himself and his siblings, which he did very successfully. He ends up hating his father, but nonetheless keeps his picture and the only note his father ever wrote him. He grows up a seemingly self-centred, cold, even mean and very dictatorial old man to his children, Alice and Gene. His background explains, however, why he finds it difficult, if not impossible, to show love. The dialogue reveals his hurt about his father and his lost childhood, as well as his very deep affection for Gene - but he cannot show it.Gene tries everything to please his father to gain his approval and his love, but never seems to succeed, leaving him feeling inadequate. Tom still gives him directions to the house he grew up in! He doesn't really like his father, yet feels bad about it and still endeavours to somehow get the approval he never had.The relationship reaches its climax when Gene's mother dies, leaving Tom Garrison alone, now starting to display the effects of early Alzheimers. Gene knows that he has to do something about his dad. He wants to get married again and move to California, Tom wants him to stay and support him. This leads to the powerful inner struggle Gene experiences: can he just leave his dad to fend for himself and how can he deal with the guilt he would feel if he pursues his own life? On the other hand, if he stays to support Tom, he will probably never really have a worthwhile relationship with his father and will give up his opportunity to live a meaningful life outside of the dominance of his father.The horror music another critic complains about is perfectly functional here, playing whilst Gene visits an institution for the aged. The scenes of senile old people strikes a very false chord with Gene and he cannot envisage his powerful father in such an institution, despite the onset of Alzheimers.The conflict between father and son (verbally and psychologically) is brilliantly acted out by Melvin Douglas and a young Gene Hackman. The final scene acts out the effects of Gene's eventual decision - and his father's reaction to it.If you had a father figure who seemed rough and unloving, yet strong and somehow comforting - you will identify with this movie.Find the movie and see it - it will enlighten you about parental and other relationships.

The great Melvyn Douglas in what may have been his last role. A lifelong curmudgeon, testy, who drove his children away after he was widowed .... I rented the video for the acting and writing. I came away with a deepened belief that fathers and sons, mothers and daughter might firm their resolve to affirm what they can. I have known grown men who wept when the father who never kissed them or encouraged them - died. Far better in this cold and chaotic world to do what you can to make your own small corner a little warmer. I gave it 4 stars for theme. I do reserve five stars for great films. Maybe this should only be a three. And maybe you'll find this a little sentimental. Douglas cuts through this to the heart of an essentially sad film about failure in the family.

A magnificent, emotionally overwhelming and heart-wrenching portrayal of an uneasy father-son relationship. Tom, the father (Melvyn Douglas) is a critical, egotistical, domineering, and manipulative man who has thrown out his daughter Alice (Estelle Parsons) for having had the audacity to marry a Jewish man, and who has managed to keep his son Gene (Gene Hackman), a widower, geographically close only by piling on layer after layer of guilt regarding a son's duty to his parents. When Tom's wife/Gene's mother dies, Gene is faced with the conundrum of what to do with his father: does he stay and take care of him, despite his ambivalent feelings, or does he move away and grab his chance at happiness by marrying a woman with whom he has fallen in love. Melvyn Douglas made his career as a suave leading man, mostly in romantic comedies of the 1930s and 1940s. For most of the 1950s he was absent from the large screen (he made numerous appearances in live and filmed TV drama), but he came back with a vengeance in the 1960s as a fine character actor, winning an Best Support Actor Oscar for Hud (1963) and later a second Oscar for Being There (1979). However, the pinnacle of his distinguished career came with this stunning, unforgettable performance in I Never Sang For My Father. Playing against type, he flawlessly walks a tightrope between sympathy for an aging old man on the verge of senility and scorn for a selfish man who cannot see anything outside of how it personally affects (or affected) him. Although he was Oscar nominated for this performance, he lost to George C. Scott's Patton (both were remarkable performances, but my vote would have gone to Douglas) Hackman, also Oscar-nominated (he would win his first Oscar the following year for The French Connection), matches him every step of the way. Estelle Parsons shines in a small but pivotal role as the no-nonsense daughter who returns for her mother's funeral, confronts the father, and forces the son to face some unpleasant truths about his relationship with his father. But it is the interplay between Douglas and Hackman that makes this movie a memorable experience. This is a character study that relies on fine acting, and in this it is served exceptionally well.

The book this Film was made from, was written by Robert Anderson, who also wrote TEA & SYMPATHY, which also received the Hollywood Treatment.The Movie is about a couple, of which the elderly Father is very self centred, the Mother, not so much. She dies early in the movie, & the son, & daughter must decide what to do with Dad, who is showing early signs of Dementia. The son lost his wife several years earlier, & he has a new love, a Gynaecologist, over the other side of America. The son tries to persuade his Father to move to the town where his girlfriend practices, but no amount of cajoling will get the old man to move. The daughter gives up trying to help, & the son is left with the problem. He, & his Father have never had a close relationship, & the Father says, I remember when you sang for me. The son has no memory of this ever happening. In the end he has to make the decision, leave his Girlfriend or his Father. His Fathers subsequent behaviour makes the sons decision easier to make.

This film makes me emotional every time I watch it. The story mirrors so much of my own relationship with my father. The acting is suburb especially by the late, great Melvyn Douglas. I never sang for my father is one of those all to rare films that will never seem dated because it deals so well with parent child relationships

One of the great movies. Douglas is superb.

Arrived as advertised. Would certainly use seller again.