Raquel got "Romulus, my father" out for me and we watched it last night. She thought it is a must see movie for a blogging dad. So we watched it ... and it's not a must see movie for any dad I think. Or even a "well, if you really have nothing else to do watch this one" movie.

Let me start off by saying I love slow, quiet, "out-there", international, festival and just about all other films that don't end in some Hollywood cheese. But Romulus my father just left my wondering why it came with such praise?? The DVD was full with "finalist in this", "special selection in the other", etc. According to the Australian Financial Review it is "A triumph of powerful cinema" (hmmm - maybe they are better at reviewing finances).

The film is just flat - the characters are developed badly and the dialogue is slow and uninspiring. According to the description on the cover it is supposed to portray the special bond between a father and his son. Well in that case it utterly failed to deliver.

I think Kodi Smit-McPhee (the "son" in the film) delivered the best performance, followed by the friend of his father played by Marton Csokas Hora. For everyone else the film must have been shot when they had a bad day. Even Franka Potente (Run, Lola Run) was very unconvincing. What a bummer ... because the topic of the film (bond between a father and his son) is great. But I think it could have been executed in a much more inspiring and engaging way.

Sorry - Romulus my father scores a DIYFather lemon award big time.
1 out of 10.

-Stef

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