Dad (1989)

While his mom recovers in hospital from a heart attack, John puts his busy life on hold to fly home and help his elderly dad around the house. John's son later joins them and they all truly bond for the first and, tragically, final time.

Director:

Gary David Goldberg

Writers:

William Wharton (novel), Gary David Goldberg (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Ted Danson, Olympia Dukakis

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Jake Tremont
Ted Danson	...	John Tremont
Olympia Dukakis	...	Bette Tremont
Kathy Baker	...	Annie
Kevin Spacey	...	Mario
Ethan Hawke	...	Billy
Zakes Mokae	...	Dr. Chad
J.T. Walsh	...	Dr. Santana
Peter Michael Goetz	...	Dr. Ethridge
John Apicella	...	Dr. Delibro
Richard McGonagle	...	Victor Walton
Bill Morey	...	Hal McCarthy
Mary Fogarty	...	Gloria McCarthy (as Mary Fogerty)
Art Frankel	...	DMV Instructor
Ray Girardin	...	Butcher

Storyline

John, a busy, "always-on-the-run" executive, learns during a meeting that his mother may be dying and rushes home to her side. He ends up being his father's caretaker and becomes closer to him than ever before. In the process, he teaches his father to be more independent which causes problems with the man's wife. Estranged from his own son, the executive comes to realize what has been missing in his own life. As John, his father and his son slowly bond, and even his mother returns from the hospital, everything starts seeming right with the world - until dad goes to have a minor surgery only to come out of it demented and a shadow of his former self.

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Plot Keywords:

heart attack | playing catch | coma | delusion | terminal illness | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the greatest man you ever meet... is the first one.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Gary David Goldberg directed this familial drama after spending many years working on writing the popular television sitcom Family Ties (1982) of which Goldberg was the creator.

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Goofs

This film takes place in Los Angeles in 1989 but nothing about the Tremonts' house or neighborhood look like California or any neighborhood in Los Angeles. Short of a brief beach scene that shows a couple palm trees, the entire film looks like the Northeast because it was filmed in and around Boston.

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Quotes

Bingo Caller: B-4.
Bingo Players: And after!

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Final Sacrifice (1998)

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Soundtracks

Nice Dreams
Written by Joel DuBay, Jeffrey Litke & Adrian Liberty
Performed by Powermad
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
by Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Jack, a true gentleman and fine actor!

First time I have watched this one and I was very moved. Never heard of this movie? Glad I stumbled across it. I love Jack Lemmon. Thought I had seen almost everything he has done? Ted Danson was terrific in this movie. I was really impressed with Ted's versatility, drama, comedy and real emotions. Great flick. Brought back many memories. Almost a mirror image of the last days I spent with my dad, especially the "hug" scene. In that generation we "quietly" showed our love for our parents and siblings. Really sad that folks wait so long to enjoy their families. I could really relate to this movie. They don't make em like Jack anymore. Really do miss him.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dad

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$19,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$540,148, 29 October 1989

Gross USA:

$22,103,037

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$27,503,037

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amblin Entertainment, Ubu Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1