...And the last time had to be at least 5 years ago, but I still remember certain parts of it vividly. This is one of those movies that pulls you in, and makes you feel like you're living right along with the characters.
MILD SPOILERS
This movie is like the American Dream...in reverse. In this movie, it isn't having it all that makes you happy. It's getting rid of it all, and deciding what's really important in life, that equals happiness.
Van Dyke plays a successful businessman, who has provided his family with everything they could possibly want. Problem is, no-one is really happy, especially Van Dyke. He decides to chuck it all. To simplify his life, get rid of stress, and try to find some happiness that doesn't depend on the kind of house you live in, the car you drive, the job you have, or the country club that's deigned to accept you. Problem is, no-one but his youngest daughter seems willing to give his new outlook on life a try.
As Van Dyke and his daughter move into a small apartment in what some might call a "bad" neighborhood in the city, his wife and remaining children stay right where they are, convinced he's gone nuts. What's interesting is that as the wife, who still has the house in the suburbs and the country club membership, realizes how empty that life is, the man and his daughter, who have given up all the comforts and luxuries, find their lives (while certainly challenging) becoming richer, fuller, and just more fun every day.
END OF SPOILERS
Talking about this movie has made me want to see it again even more than I did before! But the two times I saw it was in different city's, on the local independent stations, and not at what I'd call peak viewing times. But the fact that I remember this movie so fondly after so long means it definately deserves another showing. And, if you get the chance to see DROP-OUT FATHER, don't let it pass you by. Because this is definately an A effort.
MILD SPOILERS
This movie is like the American Dream...in reverse. In this movie, it isn't having it all that makes you happy. It's getting rid of it all, and deciding what's really important in life, that equals happiness.
Van Dyke plays a successful businessman, who has provided his family with everything they could possibly want. Problem is, no-one is really happy, especially Van Dyke. He decides to chuck it all. To simplify his life, get rid of stress, and try to find some happiness that doesn't depend on the kind of house you live in, the car you drive, the job you have, or the country club that's deigned to accept you. Problem is, no-one but his youngest daughter seems willing to give his new outlook on life a try.
As Van Dyke and his daughter move into a small apartment in what some might call a "bad" neighborhood in the city, his wife and remaining children stay right where they are, convinced he's gone nuts. What's interesting is that as the wife, who still has the house in the suburbs and the country club membership, realizes how empty that life is, the man and his daughter, who have given up all the comforts and luxuries, find their lives (while certainly challenging) becoming richer, fuller, and just more fun every day.
END OF SPOILERS
Talking about this movie has made me want to see it again even more than I did before! But the two times I saw it was in different city's, on the local independent stations, and not at what I'd call peak viewing times. But the fact that I remember this movie so fondly after so long means it definately deserves another showing. And, if you get the chance to see DROP-OUT FATHER, don't let it pass you by. Because this is definately an A effort.