Fathers and Sons

You pick up the video box of "Fathers and Sons" and what do you see? The names Jeff Goldblum, Rosanna Arquette, Famke Janssen, Samuel Jackson on the cover, and a plot description that vaguely mentions a serial killer and something about psychic powers. And then you see the film and what do you get? An anti-drug/coming-of-age/father-and-son-relationship drama, where the killer/"psychic powers" plot angle seems to be an afterthought, and is resolved in a ludicrous "thriller" climax. The movie does have its pluses: good-looking cinematography, some offbeat touches, a fairly good performance by the kid, the interest of seeing a very beautiful pre-"Goldeneye" Famke Janssen in her first movie role. But mostly it's slow, meandering and blah, and apart from Goldblum (who is the lead) all the other actors I mentioned above are wasted in throwaway roles. (**)

Where I am there are several cable TV channels showing 24 hours of movies; the majority of the movies shown are total rubbish, which to the torture of prospective viewers are repeated ad nauseam. This movie is high up on the rubbish list. The opening scene is a dorky son talking to himself and then the dorkier father doing the same.And talking nonsense at that. After half an hour of complex plots and sub-plots,going no-where except into confusion, plus a half-hearted and artificial 'make it up as I go along' bunch of ham actors, a script that has hardly any semblance of reality, I switched this garbage off. Who on earth in their right mind would finance drivel like this???!!!! 1 out of 10.

Made prior to Goldblum's recent biggies, Fathers & Sons is one that the actors would probably rather forget. At it's heart is the evaluation of the relationship between a father and his son as they both attempt to master their own personal demons. But it is the annoying 'mysterious stranger' and other red herrings that had me grabbing for the fast forward button. At 45 minutes too long, I'd recommend Goldblums classic 'Into the Night' any day.

In this 1992 film, Jeff Goldblum and Rory Cochrane star as a father and son who, despite having a somewhat strained relationship, are bought together by a strange and dangerous ordeal. Directed by Paul Mones, the film takes place in a Jersey beach town where most people seem to live normal, ordinary lives. Right from the start, Max and Ed are very intuitive. They're both in touch with their feelings and the world around them. But its the eerie presence of a mysterious shore killer with an uncanny appearance that causes them to feel on edge and drift into an imaginary world. As the killer encounters Max and Ed at different times, they begin to have moments of ESP. The killer seems drawn to Max and Ed in a way that's creepy and unsettling. He appears out of nowhere and always manages to be in the same place at the same time. When Eddie is attacked in the end, its Max's sudden intuition that saves his life.

The dialogue between the characters is good. In addition, the dialogue that was read from the book "Cats & Dogs" was very intriguing. The author of the book whose name is Isaac is someone not heard of by any of the characters, although its possible that the author might be the killer himself. As several of the characters recite passages from the book, it becomes clear that what they're reading is having a dynamic effect on them. The art of communicating without speaking and "joining a universal community" are themes from the book. Its great to see the characters particularly Ed develop a deeper understanding of what these ideas are about even though the intentions of the author are ominous and insincere.

The relationship between Max and Ed is good to watch Both of them are connected in such a way that is deep and profound. Its wonderful how Max's sudden intuition bought them closer together in the end. Jeff Goldblum is great as the loving father trying to establish a closer bond with his son. Rory Cochrane gives a decent performance as the distant and somewhat rebellious teenage son.

Through solid directing, Paul Mones does a fantastic job in demonstrating the mental and emotional similarities between Max and Ed. In addition, he not only shows how meaningful any relationship can be but he also shows how tragedy can bring a family closer together, forcing them to love and appreciate each other a lot more.

With Jeff Goldblum being the star I thought this was going to be a dark murder mystery but I was very disappointed with this movie. I don't know if the movie tried to be a moral movie about don't do drugs, talk to your parents if you have something bad on your mind, or a murder mystery? Why was other top notch actors such as Samuel L. Jackson, John C. McGinley, and Famke Janssen used in the film? McGinley was uncredited and I don't know why? What was really the purpose of having Rosanna Arquette as the psychic? All four had such short roles in the film. Through out the beginning is all there was the big talk about the chew and didn't find out what the chew is until the middle. I really don't know what I watched. Jeff Goldblum performed very well. If you must watch this movie prepare for a hundred minute boring fest! If you are not sure about renting the film or not don't let the box fool you! Avoid it no matter what you do! Though if you want to see another Goldblum movie however watch the superior Mister Frost!