Awful Fathers in Film

     It's Father's Day today, and as much as this holiday is great for those who are dads, or people who love their dads and are close to them, I can't help but feel sorry for those whose dads weren't the greatest and are estranged from their fathers.  They have nowhere to go today for comfort.  Stores don't tend to sell cards saying, "You weren't a great dad, and I hope you remember that today, because I do everyday".  So I thought it was a good time to compile a list of three movies I immediately think of when the term "bad dad" comes to mind.  I hope it's cathartic to those that need it.

1. Dwight Hansen, This Boy's Life

       Robert Dinero plays the twisted role of Dwight Hansen, one of the biggest egotistical scumbag fathers in this film based on the true life story of writer Tobias Wolff, played fantastically by Leo DiCaprio.  Besides being physically abusive to Tobias and his mother, stealing Tobias' hard earned paper route money, and being a raging alkie, Dwight Hansen is a pretty good stepdad.  In fact he's such a good stepfather, Tobias and his mother run away.  What a swell guy.


2. Winter's Bone

     Want to win Father of the Year?  I know how to get you there.  1. Get into meth production and consumption, 2. Disappear on your family of three kids, and last but not least, 3. make your teenager daughter delve into the seedy underworld of meth labs in the Ozarks to come looking for your sorry ass.  Jennifer Lawrence's portrayal of the brave family matriarch doesn't take away from what a jerk off her dad is.


3. Malachy McCourt, Angela's Ashes

       Frank McCourt's father in Angela's Ashes is a deeply flawed character that you feel sorry for at first, but grow to despise.  He at first works hard to provide for his Irish immigrant family and meet the demands of a cold wife, all the while dealing with multiple child deaths in the family.  Still, Robert Caryle as Malachy McCourt ends up in the bad dad category - he'd rather have a swig of whisky than shoes for his children, and eventually deserts his family in their darkest hour.  What a role model for a perfect father figure.


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