Father Hood

This film essentially begins with a teenage girl by the name of "Kelly Charles" (Sabrina Lloyd) breaking out of a childcare facility and going to see her father "Jack Charles" (Patrick Swayze) to plead with him to let her and her younger brother "Eddie Charles" (Brian Bonsall) live with him. The problem is that Jack is a small-time criminal who is currently facing charges for armed robbery, and he wouldn't make a good parent even if he wanted to--which he does not. Not only that, but he also has a scheme cooked up with his good friend in New Orleans named "Jerry" (Michael Ironside) to rob a wealthy mob boss within a week and having children around would definitely cause problems. However, when he learns that the head of the childcare facility by the name of "Mr. Lazzaro" (Bob Guntan) is physically and emotionally abusing the children there, Jack decides to confront him in court about it. Unfortunately, with little evidence to back up these claims, Mr. Lazzaro is allowed to retain custody of them. Angry about this, Jack decides to resolve the situation and get his children out of the childcare facility in the only way he knows how--at gun point. Needless to say, this doesn't help his problems with the law. Not only that, but his problems are complicated even further when a newspaper journalist by the name of "Kathleen Mercer" (Halle Berry) becomes involved and sensationalizes the incident all out of proportion. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an okay comedy which benefited from a pretty good performance by Patrick Swayze and Sabrina Lloyd. Admittedly, I was somewhat disappointed with the rather meager roles given to both Halle Berry and Michael Ironside but, all things considered, I enjoyed this film for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Like most action movies, this one has an improbable plot and some impossible sequences. But this can be forgiven, since the movie is primarily a comedy. Patrick Swayze strikes the right note of comic, underclass insouciance, but the film does attempt to say something about parental responsibility and father/child bonding. It also raises some disturbing questions about the predicament of children in state foster care.

There are no love scenes, and little violence. With some language dubbing, this might be suitable for family viewing.

Note to Patrick Swayze fans: Even in his goofy rayon shirts, he's still gorgeous. And we never have to see him in prison clothes.

Kelly and Eddie Charles wait the release of their father Jack (Patrick Swayze) along with journalist Kathleen Mercer (Halle Berry) that wants to cover the story. Once Jack is out, trouble follows because he doesn't get along well with his not-long seen kids and he can't even stand them, and they spent the majority of the movie escaping after Jack does some of his foolish things and after a while ends up arrested, tried, acquitted and released once again.

The main problem of this movie is that the main character is a jerk and there is no attempt to make him likeable or endearing in the least. He is always on the verge of exploding and behaves like a fool for most of the time, causing trouble to himself and those near him. The kids were actually likeable because they couldn't stand their dad (just like the audience) and this is the reason why I didn't gave it a lower score (along with the soundtrack that is bound to give lots of nostalgic 1990s vibes).

In substance, one of those films billed as family entertainment but that fails to accomplish this mention. A bad lead, various stupid moments that luckily I forgot... this might also account for why only 15 persons apart from me dared to review it.

This is one of those rare comedies that would've worked better as a drama. Possibly that's because, as a comedy, there isn't a single laugh, but the movie had a good dramatic premise, along the lines of Rain Man almost. The film's biggest fault, besides the dreaful, unfocused script, is the mediocre acting. Swayze is decidedly wooden, a sign that even he knew the film had little hope, and doesn't even attempt to breath any life into the bland film. The two actors who played his kids, Sabrina Lloyd (a 23 year old playing a 10 year old) and Brian Bonsall, don't fare much better. Though neither of them had roles that had any sense of depth, they still manage to disappoint, though at times Bonsall does hint that he has the makings of a Culkin like star. The film's sole redeeming performance comes from then-unknown Halle Berry, playing a reporter. Though her role is a small one, it is pivotal to the story, and it's clear why she became such a big star afterward.

Another problem with 'Father Hood', is that the lead character, played by Swayze, isn't the least bit likeable. If their intentions for the movie were for it to be a family film, it's unneccesarily dark and violent, but as a serious action/comedy, it's just too bland and boring. Pass on this one, it isn't entirely bad, but it's pretty close. For serious Swayze fans only.

"Father Hood" is an overlooked little gem of a "road movie". Fine performances by Halle Berry, Sabina Lloyd and Brian Bonsall, two really fun "over-the-top" ones by Diane Ladd and Michael Ironside,

and a downright outstanding one from Patrick Swayze. The movie is helped by an unconventional storyline, but badly undercut by it's flashback framing which results in a formulamatic, abrupt ending. "Father Hood" would have worked MUCH better without these "bookends". Nevertheless, the movie brings up important issues of "family responsibilities" and the consequences of state intervention. As long as the foster system rewards state institutions for NOT placing children, such abuses will exist.

Pick this one up. It's worth the "ride."