Being a good father is a tough deal. Not only do they have to be courageous and moral, but they have to be prepared to deal with whatever curveballs life throws at them, or their kids. It is not always possible to get everything right all the time, but these nine fathers defy the odds and do their best to take care of their families, protect their children, and make the world a more sensible place.
To Kill A Mockingbird - Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck)
Possibly the greatest role model in American film history; Atticus Finch stands as the beacon of light in very dark times. Not only does Finch represent a moral compass for us all, but he proves just how important a parent can be in the life of a child, especially when teaching strong values. Hollywood shuns characters like this in modern times because they don't sell tickets. What a sad message that is.
Oldboy - Dae-su Oh (Min-sik Choi)
Life is Beautiful - Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni)
Having virtually vanished since this tearjerker of a Holocaust movie made such a splash at the Oscars back in 1999, Roberto Benigni earns an honorable mention on this year's list. Not only did this Italian comedian pull every heartstring with his lighthearted portrayal of "Guido Orefice," an Italian-Jew who must find a way to keep himself and his tiny son alive inside a concentration camp, but he also touched mightily on the concept of human dignity under the worst of circumstances and to what lengths a parent should go to hide the truth from his child when facing almost certain death. Benigni's finest film (of which there have been quite a few) also stands as one of the most powerful Holocaust films in motion picture history.
16 Candles - Jim Baker (Paul Dooley)
Missing - Ed Horman (Jack Lemmon)
Just how far would you go to find your missing child? Would you lie, steal, or even kill? Jack Lemmon finds himself in some scary company in this one as he is forced to make his away across Chile (who was that creepy guy that Sting was always singing about?) to locate his son who has gone missing following the 1973 coup. Not only must "Ed Horman" deal with the aftermath of a right-wing military coup that has torn the South American country apart, but he has to contend with his own State Department that is less than willing to shed any light on the disappearance of his idealistic and left-leaning son. Lemmon's drive in this film is quite remarkable and it only makes the climax that much more difficult to swallow. Powerful political intrigue and a very frightening film.
My Left Foot - Mr. Brown (Ray McAnally)
Notable for the dramatic and somewhat astounding performance from Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, My Left Foot is filled with quality acting from the entire cast including the late-Ray McAnally who died before the film's release. McAnally's performance was overshadowed by both Day-Lewis and Oscar winner Brenda Fricker, but he brings so much genuine frustration and shame to the character, that he deserves inclusion on this year's list. The most telling moment for him as Christy Brown's father occurs when his son finally learns to communicate using his left foot, and Brown gathers him up on his shoulder and brings him down to the local pub for a pint and exclaims "this is my son - Christy Brown." It is a moment of great tenderness and acceptance; McAnally pulls it off with real conviction and the tears begin to flow.
The Pursuit of Happyness - Christopher Gardener (Will Smith)
Will Smith and real-life son, Jaden Smith (The Karate Kid) star in this heart-wrenching drama about a struggling salesman who loses everything before living on the street with his child. Taken from real events, Christopher Gardener must complete an internship at Dean Witter before he can earn a stockbroker position, while also raising his son. Throw in being homeless, broke, and divorced, and you have the classic American tale of perseverance and sacrifice. Will Smith's convincing and emotional performance is one of his best to date and a refreshing break from his action roles.
Sergeant York - Alvin York (Gary Cooper)
Father of the Bride - Stanley T. Banks (Spencer Tracy)
Often imitated but never quite duplicated to the same degree of perfection, is this 1950 classic about wedding jitters, family, and growing up. Spencer Tracy stars in this hilarious comedy that not even Steve Martin could top. Tracy bounces from one wedding fiasco to the next and manages to keep his daughter from pulling the plug and crushing the poor future son in-law. His cool and calm demeanor under fire (have you seen how women are planning a wedding?) makes sure that everything works out in the end. Isn't that what fathers are for in the first place.
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