The Good Father *** (1985, Anthony Hopkins, Jim Broadbent, Harriet Walter) – Classic Movie Review 9745

Director Mike Newell’s 1985 British drama The Good Father stars Anthony Hopkins on best barnstorming form as Bill Hooper, an irate father, cast out of his house and paying alimony, who finds his son is being turned against him.

He embarks on a legal revenge, with the help of his unscrupulous lawyer, Mark Varda, played by Simon Callow.

The acting is splendid and Christopher Hampton’s script, based on the novel by Peter Prince, is funny, spiteful and cutting.

It also stars Jim Broadbent as Roger Miles and Harriet Walter as Emmy Hooper.

Also in the cast are Fanny Viner, Joanne Whalley, Miriam Margolyes, Michael Byrne, Jennie Stoller, Johanna Kirby, Stephen Fry, Clifford Rose, Harry Grubb, and Tom Jamieson.

The Good Father is directed by Mike Newell, runs 90 minutes, is made by Channel Four Films and Greenpoint Films, is released by Mainline Pictures (1985) (UK) and Skouras Pictures (1987) (US), is written by Christopher Hampton, is shot in Technicolor by Michael Coulter, is produced by Ann Scott, is scored by Richard Hartley, and is designed by Adrian Smith.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9745

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