If you enjoy dramas that unravel slowly, giving you clues to the mystery as it reveals the characters and has an ending you wouldn’t suspect, then you’ll love In My Father’s Den . It is very minimalist in its telling of the story, spreading the scenes among the characters in the ensemble. As the film progresses so does our understanding of their motives and their weaknesses. The only character who is not weak is young Celia (Emily Barclay) on whom the plot centers. Paul Prior (Matthew Macfadyen), a war photographer, comes home to his father’s funeral after a seventeen year absence from the family farm. His sudden reappearance sets into motion events which spiral out of control. Even though In My Father’s Den relies on the tried-and-true plot device of “see what happens when a family keeps its secrets”, the film is so much more than its theme. It has a heart that beats with the rhythm of its characters right up to the devastating climax. The setting for the film, New Zealand, has a cruel beauty, so in tune with the cruel beauty of the story. Some would call it a quiet film; I’d call it unforgettable.
Note: In My Father’s Den has a website, but I think it gives away too much of the story. Read it after you see the film. Also, although the film had a very limited release, you can get it now on DVD.
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