Famiglia in fuga

his movie was great. I was 9 years old when this movie first came out. I can't tell you how many times I watched it. I have always loved it (and not just because Patrick Swayze is in it).

I love the plot and it is typical 90's style. To judge this movie by modern standards would be horrible. It's sweet. It really makes you think too (I can say that having worked for under aged victims of the state before).

In all, the movie is great, and I mean for all ages. Take it for what it is and not what you want it to be. I think it would be a great idea for a remake, but keeping to the original theme and plot as close as possible.

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.

"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."

Siblings Kelly (Sabrina Lloyd) and Eddie Charles (Brian Bonsall) eagerly wait for the release of their father Jack Charles (Patrick Swayze) from prison along with Kathleen Mercer (Hallee Berry). Fifteen months earlier, Kelly escapes from the Dickensian Bigelow Hall. Jack is a petty criminal facing prison time. He robbed drug dealers until he robbed an uncover cop pretending to be a drug dealer. He's also waiting for a large deal to come in. With their mother dead, the kids were left in the foster system. Kelly tells Jack that Eddie is about to be placed in Bigelow Hall. After witnessing director Lazzaro lying to the court, Jack takes matters into his own hands and breaks Eddie out. Jack intends to leave the kids with his grifter mother Rita (Diane Ladd) but their case has become big news. Jack confronts Mercer for her flawed reporting but she's actually investigating the Hall for fraud.

The filmmaker may be attempting for comedy but there are no laughs to be had. This is a somewhat functional road movie of sorts. The little one is a bit annoying. Swayze is caught failing to be funny but his ample charms keep the movie from completely failing. This really doesn't work but the basic premise with Swayze almost works anyways.