Dad (1989)

56% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(4,608 ratings)

Looking like death warmed over, Jack Lemmon plays the aging father of Ted Danson. Always proud of being able to fend for himself, Lemmon despises being reliant upon others, but his enfeebled state does not allow him his old independence. For his part, Danson resents having to care for his dad as he… More Looking like death warmed over, Jack Lemmon plays the aging father of Ted Danson. Always proud of being able to fend for himself, Lemmon despises being reliant upon others, but his enfeebled state does not allow him his old independence. For his part, Danson resents having to care for his dad as he would for an infant. Things take an upward turn when a "Doctor Feelgood" (Zakes Mokae) enters the scene, pumping Lemmon full of self-confidence. But then Lemmon is stricken with cancer, an affliction that he can't jolly himself out of. As the reality of his imminent death strikes everyone around him, Lemmon retreats into fantasy, recalling the past happy events of his life as though they're happening here and now. The rest of the family humors their dying dad, and in so doing draws closer together than they've been in years. TV sitcom maestro Gary David Goldberg co-produced and directed Dad, and also adapted the screenplay from the novel by William Wharton. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Gary David Goldberg
Written By: Gary David Goldberg
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 27, 1989 Wide
On DVD: May 31, 2005
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
An utterly mechanical tearjerker.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Jack Lemmon and Ted Danson do great work as father and son.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This three generational melodrama is well acted by Jack Lemmon, Ted Danson and Ethan Hawke but it's too sentimental and manipulative for the big screen
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
This is a maudlin and painfully pedantic piece of filmmaking, and it's not even bad enough to be consistently funny.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Three generations of great performances. A wonderful, touching film.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A multidimensional family drama that deals squarely with the challenges and difficulties of old age and a long marriage.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

I just watched this 1989 movie. How the heck I missed ever seeing it is beyond me. It was really, really good. I have never been a huge Ted Danson fan (other than Cheers days maybe), but he did a wonderful job..and so did the rest of the cast. I miss Jack Lemmon. He was one of my all… More
I just watched this 1989 movie. How the heck I missed ever seeing it is beyond me. It was really, really good. I have never been a huge Ted Danson fan (other than Cheers days maybe), but he did a wonderful job..and so did the rest of the cast. I miss Jack Lemmon. He was one of my all time favorites. Too bad he's gone.
Dean M

Jack Lemmon gives his fine performance, even if it is through a mound of make-up.
Daisy M

Dad was a great family drama, about how hard life could struck sometimes. It showed how in critical conditions of life we appreciate our family more. Ted Danson's character returned home to take care for his aging father, a role for Jack Lemmon.He was obsessed with his job and… More
Dad was a great family drama, about how hard life could struck sometimes. It showed how in critical conditions of life we appreciate our family more. Ted Danson's character returned home to take care for his aging father, a role for Jack Lemmon.He was obsessed with his job and making money that he lost many precious moments of being with his parents, his son,and now he was faced with his dad;s illness and he tried to do all he can to help him out of this situation and spent as many times possible before he died.Ted Danson & Jack Lemmon played their role perfectly. It was great to see these 2 men of different generations trying to reach each other again.
Lee K

Tear jerker, run of the mill however, Jack Lemmon is the one to watch in this one.

Cast

            Jack Lemmon as Jake Tremont

            Ted Danson as John Tremont

            Olympia Dukakis as Bette Tremont

            Kathy Baker as Annie Tremont

            Kevin Spacey as Mario

            Ethan Hawke as Billy Tremont

            Zakes Mokae as Dr. Chad

            J.T. Walsh as Dr. Santana

            John Apicella as Dr. Delibro

            Edith Fields as Jake's Nurse

            Takayo Fischer as Jake's Nurse

            Mary Fogarty as Gloria McCarthy

            Art Frankel as DMV Instructor

            Ray Girardin as Butcher

            Peter Michael Goetz as Dr. Ethridge

            Gregory Itzin as Ralph Kramer

            Emily Kuroda as Vicki

            Chris Lemmon as Young Jake

            Patrick Massett as Corporate Employee

            Richard McGonagle as Victor Walton

            Bill Morey as Hal McCarthy

            Nancy Paul as Corporate Employee

            Vickilyn Reynolds as CCU Nurse

            Charles Stranski as Corporate Employee

            Terry Wills as Dry Cleaner

            Andi Chapman as Jake's Nurse

            Patti Arpaia as Receptionist

            Sprague Grayden as Young Annie

            Lucas N. Hall as Hank

            Jimmy Higa as Chris

            Tony Kienitz as Bank Executive

            Katie Kissell as Lizbeth

            Jan Munroe as Corporate Employee

            Justin Petersen as Young John

            Donna Porter as Surprised Neighbor

            Gina Raymond as Young Bette

            Richard Fiske as Bingo Caller

            Lucas Hall
            
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