'Comment J'ai Tu Mon Pere' is the story of an apparently untroubled man whose control over his own life is threatened by the return of his difficult long-lost father. It's also one of those typically French films where everyone is beautiful and the drama proceeds by the subtlest of inflexion. And I find myself more willing to tolerate the first fault than I would be in an American film, partly because the characters are truly beautiful (in Hollyowood films they are often just healthy), and partly because of the second virtue. That is to say, the acting, script, cinematography and music are all superb, they bring a pained (and changing) life to this story where (superficially) nothing happens. It's true that you probably won't like this film if you do like the latest blockbuster; but the loss will all yours.

can film get better? can emotions move more? has there ever been a better original soundtrack? and last but not least, how often does one get to enjoy actors like this, in combination with such a brilliant camera work and a direction that is so to the point? not often... in my case, I don't think any film was all this to me before.this is a film that might divide your time in a before and an after having seen it.

5 of 10Despite good acting, the story lacks depth and direction. The middle seems like little more than styrofoam for a clever beginning and ending concept. Lots of stuff simply does not fit.

This superb French film is at times so closed and contained, in spite of several outdoor scenes, that at times it comes close to being claustrophobic. This isn't a criticism;the same could be said of some of Bergman's great films. But, likes some of Bergman's films, its intensity can be overwhelming. I won't reveal much of the plot, but suffice it to say that it seems to be saying that, no matter what our achievements, for many if not most people, life is largely a matter of surviving, that is, surviving the damage inflicted in the early years, and minimizing the amount if damage we inflict on others. A masterful and painful film. 9/10