Dad 1989

Jake, at the age of 78, is gently roused from sleep by his devoted wife, Bette, who diligently prepares his clothes for the day, assists him at breakfast, and accompanies him on a grocery trip. However, tragedy strikes when Bette suffers a heart attack in the store. Meanwhile, their son John is preoccupied with his business matters until he receives a concerning call from his sister, Annie, about their mother’s condition.

John rushes to the hospital to find Bette anxiously fretting over Jake’s well-being. Upon a visit to Jake at their family home, John realizes the profound impact Bette’s absence has on Jake, whose growing senility hampers his understanding of the situation. Annie articulates how structured Jake’s daily life has become because of Bette, urging John to step in and help. Faced with the heart-wrenching decline of his father, John feels compelled to assist Jake with basic tasks like dressing for bed.

As the days progress, John attempts to convey the reality of Bette’s situation to Jake, emphasizing the importance of independence moving forward. He breaks down household chores into simple instructions for Jake, preparing him for the responsibilities that lie ahead. A visit to a bingo hall rekindles Jake’s spirits as he reconnects with old friends, though it is evident that the shadow of loss looms over him as many have passed.

John brings Jake to the hospital to visit Bette, where Annie expresses relief over Jake’s demeanor. However, Bette grows increasingly worried about Jake’s eating habits. Later, John introduces Jake to a business environment where Jake’s instincts as a former worker clash with John’s corporate strategies, leaving Jake bewildered by the business world’s harsh realities.

After obtaining a new driver’s license, John and Jake share a nostalgic moment on the front lawn, throwing a baseball together. As John’s estranged son, Billy, returns from college, he finds himself assisting Jake in the backyard greenhouse. Jake reminisces about a time when the entire family was together, though the memory feels fragmented, leaving him puzzled.

Bette’s return from the hospital brings the family together for dinner, but tensions surface as Billy contemplates leaving school for a life in Mexico. A concerning health issue arises when Jake discovers blood in his urine, prompting a visit to the doctor who reveals a dire diagnosis of bladder cancer. In a moment of kindness, John lies to both Bette and Jake, assuring them both that everything will be alright.

As the reality of Jake’s illness sinks in, he temporarily succumbs to shock upon learning the full gravity of his condition. The family navigates through a mix of emotions as Jake’s health declines further, leading John to confront the medical professionals, resulting in a frantic escape from the hospital with his father.

Coming home does not bring solace, as Jake struggles with ominous memories and confusion about his family’s past. One fateful night, John discovers Jake hiding beneath his bed, struggling with his internal demons. This prompts another return to the hospital where Jake receives a proper diagnosis of seizure and coma. John, refusing to leave his father’s side, decides to room with him, tending to Jake’s needs while managing his own business responsibilities from afar.

An impromptu visit from Billy at Jake’s bedside shows a glimpse of family unity as they hold onto hope. Remarkably, Jake awakens, sharing clarity and lucidity, leaving the doctors astounded by his swift recovery. Their bond rekindled, John and Billy take Jake out to shop for vibrant new clothes, bringing a moment of joy to Bette.

However, as Bette and John are drawn into a series of arguments over Jake’s peculiar behavior, it becomes evident that Jake’s mind is creating a fantasy life rooted in nostalgia. A psychologist warns John that Jake’s idyllic memories of a farm family life are symptoms of mental health struggles that require validation from Bette.

Reluctantly, Bette engages with their community, as John pushes her to reconnect with the neighbors they had once ignored. In doing so, they try to reclaim a semblance of normalcy, but Bette finds Jake’s newfound interests unsettling. With family ties becoming strained, Jake’s desire to dance with Annie symbolizes his yearning for connection before his time runs out.

Tragedy looms once more as the doctor reveals that Jake’s cancer has metastasized, and time is short. In a contemplative conversation with Billy, John reflects on the cost of his ambition contrasted with the importance of family. Each visit to Jake serves as a poignant reminder of love, loss, and regret as they share past memories and forge new ones.

As John curls up beside Jake in the hospital, they experience fleeting moments of clarity and connection, with Jake expressing pride in John’s achievements. Ultimately, the film culminates in a bittersweet farewell after Jake’s passing, as John and Billy, dressed in the clothes they shared with him, find solace in their memories of an extraordinary life and a heartfelt goodbye to the man who loved them unconditionally.