Dad 1989

As the gentle morning light creeps into their cozy abode, Jake (78), a spry senior, is gently roused by his devoted wife Bette. She tends to his daily needs with meticulous care, expertly laying out his attire and preparing his breakfast, before whisking him off to the local market for a spot of shopping. But fate has other plans; as they stroll through the aisles, Bette’s robust health suddenly falters, and she succumbs to a heart attack.

Meanwhile, their son John is engrossed in the fast-paced world of high-stakes business dealings, oblivious to the crisis unfolding at home. It isn’t until his sister Annie (concerned sibling) reaches out that he becomes aware of his mother’s precarious situation. John hastens to the hospital, where Bette lies recovering from her ordeal.

As he arrives at their family home, John is struck by the stark reality of Jake’s mental decline. The once-vigilant patriarch has become increasingly reliant on his wife for even the most mundane tasks. Annie takes it upon herself to educate John about the gravity of the situation, imploring him to lend a helping hand in supporting their father.

John’s initial reluctance gives way to a sense of responsibility as he begins to ease Jake into a more self-sufficient routine. The duo embarks on a series of tender moments, with John patiently guiding Jake through the complexities of household chores, from laundry to dishwashing. Their foray into bingo hall revelry brings joy and camaraderie, as they return home bearing stuffed animals won in a spirited game.

As Bette’s condition stabilizes, the family reunites at her bedside, where Annie expresses heartfelt gratitude for John’s efforts in supporting their father. However, Jake’s concerns about his own well-being are palpable, particularly when it comes to maintaining a healthy appetite.

John seizes the opportunity to share with Jake the intricacies of his business dealings, only to find himself facing resistance from his dad, who remains perplexed by the corporate machinations. The retired aviation manufacturing worker-turned-entrepreneur is dismayed by the notion that companies are being shut down for the sole purpose of exploiting remaining assets.

As John navigates the complexities of modern commerce, he takes Jake on a series of adventures designed to reconnect him with his lost vitality. A visit to the local DMV yields a new driver’s license for Jake, and they spend a sunny afternoon tossing a baseball on the front lawn, rekindling memories of simpler times.

Just as all seems well, John’s estranged son Billy makes an unexpected appearance from college, seeking to reconnect with his father. The two find common ground in their shared passion for horticulture, tending to Jake’s backyard greenhouse together. As they work side by side, Jake’s mind wanders back to a happier era, when the entire family gathered beneath the same roof – or so it seems, as his recollections of four children appear somewhat distorted.

As Bette returns from her hospital stay, the family gathers for a warm and intimate dinner at home. The evening is filled with laughter and conversation, as Billy shares his aspirations to leave college behind and seek new horizons in Mexico.

In this poignant portrayal of life’s ebbs and flows, the film masterfully weaves together themes of love, loss, and redemption, as one family navigates the challenges of aging, business, and personal growth.

As Jake’s health begins to deteriorate, John (playing both caregiver and liar) whisked him away to a doctor who delivered the sobering news: Jake’s condition was grave. But instead of leveling with his father, John chose deception, spinning a web of half-truths that would haunt their family for days to come.

As Jake awaited surgery, he turned to John for comfort, requesting a hug in a poignant display of vulnerability. However, the doctor’s somber diagnosis sent Jake into shock, leaving him reeling from the news that his cancer had taken hold. The hospital visit that followed was marked by tension and despair, with John growing increasingly frustrated at the medical staff’s inability to reverse Jake’s decline.

As the reality of their father’s mortality set in, John’s anger gave way to desperation. He bemoaned the fact that doctors were unable to treat Jake’s depression, instead offering platitudes about his being “beyond medical care.” Fueled by frustration and helplessness, John made a split-second decision to remove Jake from the hospital, determined to take matters into his own hands.

Back at home, Jake’s condition continued to decline, leaving him a shadow of his former self. Annie and Bette took turns caring for their patriarch, while Billy, sensing an opportunity to make amends, offered his assistance. But John was having none of it, insisting that he be the sole caregiver, as if his very presence could somehow will Jake back to health.

As night fell, John found himself faced with a surreal scenario: Jake, now catatonic, hiding under his bed. The weight of their father’s condition finally began to sink in, and John was forced to confront the harsh reality that he would soon lose the man who had once been his rock.

In a moment of clarity, John realized that Jake’s care required more than just physical support – it demanded emotional investment as well. He resolved to stay by his father’s side, navigating the complex web of hospital bureaucracy and medical jargon with the help of a sympathetic administrator.

As the days turned into weeks, Billy reappeared, his presence a poignant reminder of the bond that once united them all. John welcomed his estranged brother with open arms, grateful for the support as they navigated the uncertain landscape of Jake’s final days. And though their father’s mortality loomed large, John refused to accept it, instead choosing to cherish every moment he had left with the man who had given him life.

As Jake slowly regains consciousness the following morning, a lucid and articulate individual emerges, prompting his doctor to marvel at the remarkable recovery. The physician hypothesizes that the fear of mortality may have played a role in inducing the coma, but also credits John’s unwavering love and care as a potential catalyst for Jake’s resuscitation.

With newfound vitality, Jake accompanies John and Billy on an excursion to Venice Beach, where they indulge in a spree of unconventional fashion purchases. The trio showcases their bold new attire to Bette, who is thoroughly entertained by their antics.

However, Bette’s amusement is short-lived, as she begins to suspect that something is amiss with Jake’s recovery. She confides in John about Jake’s earlier delusions, and when he presses her for more information, Jake poses a perplexing question: did he indeed raise four children on a farm in New Jersey, rather than the two they had in California?

A psychologist subsequently enlightens John that Jake’s vision of the farm is a symptom of schizophrenia – a coping mechanism designed to alleviate his existential distress. The caveat being that Jake requires Bette’s validation to make this dream reality, lest his mental faculties deteriorate further.

As tensions rise, Bette proves reluctant to comply, but ultimately succumbs to pressure from John and begins to forge connections with their previously ignored neighbors. They even take on the responsibility of babysitting local children, a role that Jake undertakes with an uncharacteristic level of enthusiasm and interest in Japanese culture.

The atmosphere is palpably charged during a family dinner, as Bette’s frustration boils over into a heated argument with John, culminating in a slap. Jake intervenes, pleading for harmony between his loved ones. John acknowledges that he has been too controlling, while Bette counters that Jake has become increasingly alien to her.

In a poignant moment of introspection, Jake confides in Annie that his dream life is his vision of what they could have had together – a fleeting respite from mortality’s looming specter. As the sun sets over the greenhouse, they share a tender, wordless dance.

As the reality of Jake’s terminal condition becomes increasingly apparent, John takes him to the doctor, who delivers a somber prognosis: the cancer has spread to his lymph system, and time is running out.

That evening, John shares a heartfelt conversation with Billy, seeking insight into his experiences in Mexico. Billy presses John for an explanation of why making money took precedence over family, prompting John to reveal that he derived a sense of power from his wealth. He implores Billy to exercise forgiveness and move forward.

As John pays a poignant visit to his ailing father, Jake, now confined to a hospital bed once again, their conversation is infused with a sense of nostalgia. Jake shares vivid recollections of bygone eras, specifically the iconic 1947 World Series in which Joe DiMaggio’s remarkable skills were momentarily overshadowed by an unheralded player. John settles in beside his father, and as they bask in each other’s company, Jake’s eyes well up with a sense of pride when he gazes upon his son. It is as if Jake has gleaned reassurance from the fact that he must have done something right, for he sees it reflected in John’s very being.

Later, as the family gathers at their home to pay respects to Jake following his passing, an atmosphere of somber reflection pervades the air. Amidst this backdrop of grief, John and Billy take a momentary respite from their sorrow to venture out into the greenhouse, where they had shared countless laughter-filled moments with Jake in days gone by. As they bid farewell to his memory amidst the lush greenery, tears flow freely as they mourn the loss of their beloved patriarch.

As the reception draws to a close, Annie’s husband takes John aside and discreetly ushers him away from the gathering, leaving John to grapple with the bittersweet emotions that linger in the wake of Jake’s departure.