This Is My Father (1998/I)

Director:

Paul Quinn

Writer:

Paul Quinn (writer)

Release Date:

7 May 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Drama

Tagline:

A Journey Of The Heart.

Plot:

A middle-aged teacher discovers photos from his mother's past that convinces him that she has not told the truth about his real father...

Plot Keywords:

Ireland | Genealogy | Pregnancy | Irish American | Suicide By Hanging

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

James Caan	...	Kieran Johnson
Jacob Tierney	...	Jack, Kieran Johnson's Nephew
Colm Meaney	...	Seamus, Owner of the Bed-and-Breakfast
Moira Deady	...	Mrs. Kearney
Susan Almgren	...	Betty
Pauline Hutton	...	Maria
Fiona Glascott	...	Nuala
Françoise Graton	...	Old Fiona
Joel Gordon	...	Brian Winters
Alexandra Spunt	...	Female Student
Victoria Sanchez	...	Female Student
Terrence Scammell	...	Chicago Radio DJ
Pat Leavy	...	Farmer Woman
Aiden Condron	...	Bartender
Peadar Lamb	...	Man in Pub

Also Known As:

L'histoire de mon père (Canada: French title) (TV title)

Runtime:

Canada:119 min | Japan:121 min

Country:

Ireland | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Ballyknockan, Valleymount, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Father Productions (II)

Quotes:

Fiona Flynn: So what do you want?
Kieran O'Day: Tonight I asked God to help me forget you. I prayed all night trying to get you out of my mind. But you were all that filled it. I tried to remember what it was like before you... I couldn''t remember. I tried to imagine what it would be like without you...

Soundtrack:

Moonbeams

When Irish Eyes are Crying

Not many people will admit they saw, "This Is My Father", a touching, Romeo and Juliet looking film that has such warm sentimentality and such quiet dignity, that you have to defend yourself for seeing it. But defend you must. This is filmmaking at its gut level best, made by the Quinn family (Aidan, Paul, and Declan) no doubt to honor their Irish heritage as well as their father. The film does a nice job of splitting the scenes of present day, when Kieran is trying to find out about his father and the past, through the words of Mrs. Kearney retelling the ill-fated romance between Kiernan's mother Fiona and his father with the same name. The film details the harsh existence of country life and the stoicism of the Irish people suffering from both their poverty and an oppressive religion that does not recognize the meaning of love. The acting is commendable but my heart goes out to Moya Farrelly as the young Fiona - her screen presence is just as electrifying as the Greta Garbo she so much admires. One gripe with the Quinn brothers - why throw in the little nothing romance between Jack and Maria if you don't do anything with it. It could have served as a vehicle to show that the roots of the Fiona and Kieran tragedy run deep, even today, by showing lovers rejected because of where they come from. That aside, go see "This Is My Father" and don't be ashamed to say you saw it and enjoyed it.