The Son [Blu-ray]

Director: Florian Zeller Florian Zeller

Overview

Peter (Hugh Jackman) experiences a turning point in his life as he begins crafting a comfortable existence with Beth (Vanessa Kirby), his new, younger partner, and their infant child. Yet Peter's contentment suddenly shatters with the unexpected arrival of his ex-wife, Kate (Laura Dern), and their teenaged son, Nicholas (Zen McGrath), who seek to reconcile with him. Florian Zeller directs the drama based on his play of the same name. Co-starring Anthony Hopkins and William Hope.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/28/2023
UPC:	0043396631687
Original Release:	2022
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Sony Pictures
Language:	English
Sales rank:	41,331

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Vanessa Kirby	Beth
Anthony Hopkins	Peter's Father
Hugh Jackman	Peter
Laura Dern	Kate
William Hope	Andrew
Hugh Quarshie	Doctor
Zen McGrath	Nicholas Miller
Akie Kotabe	Mr. Yama
Isaura Barbé-Brown	Sophia
Julia Westcott-Hutton	Boardroom Executive
Joakim Skarli	Boardroom Executive
Rachel Handshaw	Brian's Assistant
Erick Hayden	Allan
Kenny-Lee Mbanefo	Boardroom Executive
Nancy Baldwin	Principal's Secretary
Reza Diako	Waiter
Mercedes Bahleda	Mary
George Potts	Therapist
Rene Costa	Hospital attendant
Shin-Fei Chen	Alexandra
Danielle Lewis	Jessica
Alex Mugnaioni	Nurse
Riccardo Mazzi	Business Executive Staff
George Cobell	Young Nicholas
Patrice Bevans	Attorney in Peter's Office
Gabriel Ecoffey	Young Man
Robina Hula	Social Worker
Van Pierre	Steven
Darren Clarke	Lawyer
Hans Zimmer	Composer

Technical Credits

Florian Zeller

Christopher Hampton

Florian Zeller	Director,Screenwriter,Producer
Christopher Hampton	Screenwriter
Daniel Battsek	Executive Producer
Philippe Carcassonne	Executive Producer
Christelle Conan	Executive Producer
Lauren Dark	Executive Producer
Simon Gillis	Executive Producer
Hugo Grumbar	Executive Producer
Tim Haslam	Executive Producer
Hugh Jackman	Executive Producer
Iain Canning	Producer
Karl Hartman	Producer
Joanna Laurie	Producer
Emile Sherman	Producer
Christophe Spadone	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Director Florian Zeller has followed up the Oscar-awarded The Father with The Son. Both works are part of his French trilogy of plays Le Père, La Mère and Le Fils, which center around emotional family dynamics. Zeller has adapted the script for The Son from the French original Le Fils with Oscar-winning screenwriter Christopher Hampton (Atonement). Coming off the heels of The Father with this reunited and lauded artistic team, a moviegoer might expect a sincere and thoughtful film. Although it deals with the sensitive subject of depression and its effect on interpersonal relationships, the film barely skims the surface and gives a lackluster look into a family's impatience with depression. Nicholas Miller's, (Zen McGrath), parents have divorced, and he decides he wants to live with his father, who is living with his partner Beth (The Crown's Vanessa Kirby) and their new baby. Peter (Hugh Jackman) tries to avoid his son's red flags, hoping that his depression, the same that Peter had when he was young, will disappear. His mother (Laura Dern) is in turmoil because, in a deep depression, Nicholas has been cutting school. At one point, Peter goes to his father (played by Anthony Hopkins, who won the Oscar for playing the same role in The Father) for advice about Nicholas, who tells him to get over it. Peter realizes that he should do better for his son than his father did for him. Where the script is less effective at creating searing emotional moments, Jackman is compelling, especially in a cameo scene with Hopkins. Their back-and-forth is a masterclass in acting. Audiences can enjoy watching him shed the guise of an action-hero into a less likable, grounded character who is somehow more enjoyable. He's good in this role, and more serious roles for Jackman would be refreshing. Dern and Kirby are both terrific actresses and try to make the most of each sorrowful word of their roles which are sadly underwritten. McGrath is good, and viewers are likely to enjoy much more of this young actor in the future. Zeller is lucky to have casting director Nicola Chisholm (Gunpowder Milkshake), who has a gift for putting just the right puzzle pieces together. The discovery of newcomer McGrath paid off. Adding to the right tone is the majestic sound of Academy Award Winner Hans Zimmer (The Lion King). Although it boasts an excellent creative team and cast, the running time of two hours and three minutes should have more substance for an audience eager to see the follow-up to its highly acclaimed predecessor.