By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
"The Son," is director and screenwriter
Florian Zeller's impressive follow up to his 2020 Oscar winner, "The Father" which won "Best Screenplay" and a "Best Actor" trophy for Anthony Hopkins.
In "The Son," Hugh Jackman (TV’s “Koala Man”) delivers a powerful performance as a workaholic New York attorney named Peter.
He’s trying to adjust to his new life since divorcing his wife Kate (the always terrific Laura Dern (TV’s “The White Lotus”). His new love interest is Beth (Vanessa Kirby, TV's "The Crown") and they have a newborn child.
Adding to the dynamic is Kate and Peter's emotionally troubled 17-year-old son Nicholas (Zen McGrath, TV’s “Utopia”). He lives with Kate, but she can't deal with his moody and irrational behavior. She's had it when Nicholas goes missing and she discovers he hasn't attended school in weeks.
Peter agrees to let Nicholas live with him and Beth, but it does nothing to bring the father and son closer. In fact, it pushes them further apart.
Nicholas is angry that his dad left his mother for Beth. This kid's hatred and evilness is palpable and would make anyone around him feel uncomfortable. Beth has reason to fear Nicholas, especially when he begins to do things around the house that affect her and the baby.
Peter tries mightily to connect with Nicholas, but he’s so distant and angry at him that he clams up every time they try to talk things over.
How can you help someone when they're constantly pushing you away?
Nicholas needs professional help and Peter vows to get him the best possible because he can't just let his son continue down this path.
Through flashbacks, we see how Peter and Nicholas shared happier times together. Yet, over the years, Peter's work interfered with his home life and Nicholas and Kate spent the majority of their time together.
When Peter talks to his distant and uncaring father, (a superb Anthony Hopkins, “Armageddon Time”) we also get a glimpse into their relationship which appears almost as fractured as the one he has with Nicholas.
"The Son" is a deep, disturbing, and poignant film. It spotlights the pervasiveness of mental illness and depression and the powerful grip and impact it can have on some families.
I didn't expect "The Son" to have such a jarring ending. It's a real stunner.
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Look At This Trailer For
"THE SON"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
