The SXSW jury awarded James Morsini’s “I Love You Dad” the top prize in March. You can call this one a shocking win. The polarizing film received mixed reviews and was even called out by a few. It hits theaters this Friday.
In “I Love My Dad,” Patton Oswald plays one of the worst fathers in recent film history. His suicidal son (played by Morsini) finally decides to block him from every social media outlet, which gives daddy the idiotic idea to catfish sonnyboy. He creates a fake Facebook amount, using the name and photos of a real waitress who works at the diner next door.
With no driver’s license or any person who wants to drive him across state lines to meet his new crush, sonny boy asks dad to drive him. A road trip ensues. That’s right, father and son are driving to meet a girl who doesn’t know she’s a part of this catfish scheme. What could possibly go wrong? EVERYTHING. At least they start bonding again on the way there.
The cringe-factor in “I Love My Dad” is almost too much to handle. Director and star Morosini, who actually based the screenplay on his own, real-life relationship with his father, can’t seem to find the right tone for a film with such an unlikable. Is it a comedy? Drama? Satire?
Morsini’s film has been called cruel and misguided by critics, and yet the SXSW jury found its premise ballsy and original enough to be rewarded the top prize. I found Morsini’s risk-taking admirable, and something could be said about a film that decides to have such an unlikable lead character. [B-]
Criterion's December lineup has some great additions to the library, but the title that jumped out at me is Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man," which officially joins the Collection on December 8.