SUNDANCE - FATHER'S CHAIR is a Thoughtful Father/Son Journey Beautifully Shot

Director Luciano Moura at Sundance

Father’s Chair is a wonderful Brazilian film about what we learn on a journey rather than at the arrival.  The title of the movie sets up the story.  Theo and Branca are on the verge of divorce.  Their sixteen-year-old son, Pedro, receives a birthday present from his paternal grandfather…a chair.  The hand-crafted chair infuriates Theo (who is estranged from his father) and he smashes it.  A few days later, Pedro takes a horse from an animal shelter and disappears.  Theo and Branca are beside themselves with fear.  Since they know their son is traveling by horse, Theo follows the clues to find him and Branca waits at home for his phone call or return.

I don’t want to tell you where Pedro is going for that would spoil the story.  But, as Theo follows the clues to find his son, he discovers his son as a person.  Theo also learns about fatherhood and begins to reflect on his own father.  The crisis also draws Theo and Branca together so that they stop fighting and just focus on their son. 

I loved the ending of Father’s Chair …it was perfect...I was moved and plotlines were nicely tied up, but nothing was didactic or overbearing.  Also, the film was beautifully shot.

There isn't really a movie poster for this film, but here are the actors who play Theo and Branca in a scene from the film

Father’s Chair is the first full-length film from still photographer Luciano Moura and his camera work was lovely; it felt very clean and precise; all of the shots were well planned and executed.

Moura and the screenwriter were at the Sundance screening of their film to answer questions afterward.  I loved seeing their enthusiasm about the entire process.  An interesting point that Moura made was  that Theo’s character is a doctor and I don't remember that being mentioned in the film.  This is significant because on his journey, Theo delivers a woman’s baby.  And personally I was a little bothered during the film that he would deliver the baby when he was just a man with no experience probably other than seeing his son born.  I needed evidence of a time lapse because I was still a little worried about the mom having her needs met post delivery. 


But do not let that minor irritation of mine keep you from seeing Father’s Chair, it is excellent and well worth your time.  I can’t seem to find out about the U.S. distribution, but I will let you know if and when I do.  Grade A-.