This is a film that no one seems to remember and it is a real shame. I remember it very clearly, seeing it when I was only 14 years old in 1982. I do not think that it has ever been shown since. It is a real shame that Dick Van Dyke has given so many fine performances in films like The Morning After, The Runner Stumbles and the HBO version of The Country Girl that are so hard to view today. This man is a comic giant (in fact he was influenced by Stan Laurel. Dick told a story on a tv show recently that he was fortunate enough to meet Stan in the early 1960's. He told Mister Laurel that he had copied a lot from him. He said that Mister Laurel just laughed and said "I've noticed!". He gave the eulogy at his funeral in 1965. I think this was a role that was especially written for Dick and that no one could have played it any better then him. It sort of reminds me of one of those Frank Capra movies with the wonderful message that the underdog, the common man is the real hero and that a simple life is really the best life that there is. What a wonderful message! This is why we need to see this movie now more then ever. Dick and Mariette Hartley (a wonderful actress) worked so well together as husband and wife. They just made magic and I remember it to this day. Dick plays a stressed out businessman who decides to chuck it all for a simple and easier life. I will never forget the way that this wonderful movie concluded, it sort of reminded me of Capra's Its A Wonderful Life. Dick and his family sit down and have a simple and traditional Thanksgiving dinner. What a wonderful way to end the film. They need to make this film available.
7 Reviews
Listed as a comedy, but is actually quite depressing.
MyMovieTVRomance12 January 2024
I had to restart this today, and watch it with more energy. Finally got to the end of it. I can't say I didn't like it. But I have mixed feelings, because the message that it was pushing, I didn't agree with. I didn't agree that anything needed to be changed except for the lack of communication in the family. I didn't agree with selling the house, or any of that.
This movie seems to push the idea that a fulfilled person is someone with a great career, and that there is no such thing as a happy housewife, she must have a career to be complete. Sorry, but I just don't think that the end result was an improvement over the beginning.
Other than that, I did like the movie. I liked the cheesy reference to '80s tv, I liked the cast, and especially Dick Van Dyke, who was my reason for watching. So, it's not a favorite of mine, but would I watch it again? Probably. It's one of those neutral movies. Five out of 10 stars. Right there in the middle.
This movie seems to push the idea that a fulfilled person is someone with a great career, and that there is no such thing as a happy housewife, she must have a career to be complete. Sorry, but I just don't think that the end result was an improvement over the beginning.
Other than that, I did like the movie. I liked the cheesy reference to '80s tv, I liked the cast, and especially Dick Van Dyke, who was my reason for watching. So, it's not a favorite of mine, but would I watch it again? Probably. It's one of those neutral movies. Five out of 10 stars. Right there in the middle.
Exceptional Movie
semperfi0231 December 2004
Drop Out Father was not only an outstanding movie, it had a profound effect on our lives as young parents. We were so impressed by the decision that the middle-aged father made that we made one very much like his and have never regretted it. We watched the movie on t.v. and hoped it would be shown again. We never saw it and checked many times to see if it was going to be shown. We can't get a copy of the video, and feel that it should be made available for purchase. Not only that, it should be shown on t.v. I think that Americans are ready for this one now more than ever. Dick Van Dyke does an excellent job and is to be commended for it.
dropout father is gr8
sandrachampion21 October 2005
I watched this film years ago and I loved it, I have recently tried to buy and i cannot find it anywhere. I would love to watch Dick Van Dyke being his usual hilarious self. bring back classics instead of repeating modern rubbish all the time. I would gladly pay money to purchase this film, why is it Mary Poppins is shown every Christmas yet his better movies such as dropout father was shown once in the past twenty years. Dick Van Dyke is a marvellous actor who deserves his work to be shown and bought. after checking amazon and ebay I found that there was no way I would be able to but drop out father. please feel free to e-mail me if u know where I can get it on DVD.
Wheres The DVD
rkersh28 August 2016
I think of this movie every once in awhile and wish it were on DVD so I could watch it at those times. I've always connected it with Christmas and that does have a slight connection, but I liked the writing, the actors and performances and the movie as a whole. Dick Van Dyke always made it look easy and he worked so well with Marriete Hartley. A light enjoyable movie that you wish you could see whenever you think of it. Considering a lot of the really trashy stuff already on DVD, you would think this one would help balance it all out. A good story that holds it's own over time. Just as relevant and funny as if it was produced this week.
I've only seen this movie twice...
channel_serf1 November 2003
Warning: Spoilers
...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.
WONDERFUL MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE ! !
crendine19 August 2020
Like most of the IMDB reviewers of this film, I would love to see it released on dvd. Anyone who has worked in an office or a high-pressure job can relate to just about every character in this movie. Dick Van Dyke, Mariette Hartley, and a very young Martha Byrne, turn in very impressive and convincing performances. Highly recommended if it ever comes out.
See also
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