What attributes make a good father? What qualities do we most admire? There are so many that we would desire if we were to build a caricature of a great fatherly figure. Hollywood has given us many examples of characters who personify the kinds of dads we would all hope to be parented by. Here are five movies that are stand-outs as representing the epitome of a great dad.
Daddy’s Home
Here is a movie about two dads: the biological dad and the step-dad. This movie represents the acknowledgment that we rarely find all the best qualities of fatherhood in one person. It takes a family of multiple people who love the child to work together to care, support, provide for and love them. We can see that each of the dads bring a unique set of strengths to the family dynamic as they navigate child custody, parenting roles, and fatherly responsibilities. But, together, they create a comprehensive embodiment of all that a father should be. Many outlandish and laughable conflicts ensue as they learn to work together.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Divorce creates a barrier between this dad and the children he adores. He will do anything to remain a part of their daily lives. So much so that he begins impersonating a senior British lady to serve as a nanny. Many awkward and funny stumbles occur as he attempts to pass among his family in his newly adopted identity. The tender confessions and heart-breaking facial expressions convey the depth of love this father feels for his children. While the situation is preposterous, the sentiment of having a dad who would do anything to be involved in your life is entirely believable.
The Pursuit of Happyness
Based on a true story, a struggling single father musters up every ounce of will and determination to build a better life for his son. We see the character bounce between competing demands on his time and energy, never-ending societal and economic pressures, and suffering through extreme sacrifice with that one goal in mind. The real-life father and son actors gave watchers of this movie an added layer of sentiment, knowing that the father-son bond we watched on the screen was genuine.
Finding Nemo
This may seem an odd choice as an animated film, but the presentation of a father’s love for his child is palpable. While Nemo is taken far away from his family through an adventure of every possible hazard a tiny fish could face, his father relentlessly pursues finding his son and reuniting. He must face his every fear and overcome deadly encounters in hopes of finding his offspring. Interestingly, Nemo’s father has the makings of being a great dad already but learns how to be more of what Nemo needs in the process.
Father of the Bride
In this movie, the character played by Steve Martin is thrown out of sorts as he prepares for the impending wedding of his daughter. His love for his daughter, the heartache of her leaving home, and his efforts to resist change make for a chaotic wedding as one hilarious catastrophe after another threaten the beloved daughter’s happiness and her special day. He is torn between preventing her from leaving home and making sure she has the most memorable day he can give her. In the end, he comes to terms with inevitable change.
The chances are good your father is not perfect. He has strengths and weaknesses. There are things he does well, and there are things he could improve upon. When it comes to movies representing dads, whether they are more perfect than in real life or silly personifications, one thing is easily understood: fathers love their children.
