Da (1988) Online

This great little slice of life film is well-worth giving your time to viewing. The music score by Elmer Bernstein reminds me of "To Kill a Mockingbird" with an Irish accent. I laughed and cried - sometimes both at the same time. The acting is superb and Martin Sheen shows himself to be the great actor most of his film roles have never given him the prove.

Martin Sheen can do no wrong in my book. All his roles reflect reality and truth and this film is no exception. Any one of us who has lost a crotchety, cranky old parent can relate to this movie as Martin tries to understand his history with his father and how it has shaped him and impacted on him. Barnard Hughes is a delight as is the boss from the office. I have known these people in Ireland, they lived and breathed all around me in the sixties. Well done again, Hugh Leonard.

A week ago I received this DVD free in a national newspaper. Until then , I was unaware of its existence. I have to tell you that this is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Martin Sheen and Barnard Hughes are superb and their interplay is wonderful to see. Martin Sheen is excellent as the grieving son but is, in my opinion, surpassed by Barnard Hughes as the irascible Da. The film is a simple story but is all of the following ; unusual, funny, sad, uplifting and heartwarming.Everything about this movie oozes class, from the wonderful opening title music to the wonderful Irish humor of Da. You may have difficulty obtaining this movie on DVD, as I haven't seen it anywhere but if you do find it, even on video, you just have to see it.I promise you will love it.

As a fan of "me own Da" and of the great, extraordinary actor Martin Sheen, I add my own comments about this film which ranks among my top five (none of which is number one -- they're all equal). The casting is the best ever for this thought-provoking, memorable story. Barnard Hughes' voice and mannerisms -- his grins and his tantrums and his pronunciation of "roses" -- are excellent. William Hickey, who plays Mr. Drumm, is so diabolical and selfish that separating the performer from the performance is difficult. What a miserable, outspoken, biased human being he is! Young Charlie and the mother play their roles well. I really like young Charlie's reaction to his older self -- in that restaurant. "What! Glasses, too?" or something like that. Imagine if you were able to see your body and soul thirty years hence! (Shudder) And pitiful Oliver -- Sheen's reaction to him when he puts on that sandwich board advertisement and when the "machine" nearly hits Oliver -- is great. A few weeks ago I went to a restaurant about three miles away. Nearby was a guy wearing one of those ads. Later that day the same fella was about three blocks from my home -- on a corner again and with the same sandwich board ad. What humiliation -- the same felt by Sheen (and appropriately not by the daffy Oliver). Now for one of the greatest actors ever -- Martin Sheen plays this, one of his favorites, role so well that "Da" remains with me in many ways. His "not to worry" remarks, his conversations with his father, especially when Sheen reverts to his boyish voice while Hughes talks about Charlie's birth mom (that was a "makey-up") and when he discusses the rain ("The angels will be having a ---.") and when he hugs his da, realizing the confusion between past and present being experienced by this hard-working man, so enamoured by the "quality." **SPOILERS** The ending is so beautiful; the roses, the father's voice so loved now by Charlie and the comfortable gentleman now dwelling in the apartment and in the heart of Charlie make for a sweet ending felt by those who love their own wonderful characters for fathers. I really love this film -- I have three copies -- and I thank Sheen for making it. I'm glad Blackie did not drown. We saw this as a play -- quite good -- but without Sheen and Hughes -- lacking. The film is excellent. The mother's poignant scene about her special day and the discovery that the father was not spending the money and the ensuing verbal backlash and Sheen's weeping in and with the rain are outstanding. ("That's hot . . . " I love that scene!) Savor the beauty of this Irish family.

... and yet virtually no one I know has ever heard of it. A story of reminiscence, regret, and reconciliation (a little too late), as Charlie, a successful Broadway playwright, returns home to Ireland for his father's funeral. His father, though dead, is very much alive in Charlie's thoughts.

Every character in the movie is 100% believable, and real. The dialogues are genuine, ordinary, but insightful, and keenly sculpted. It's clear that Hugh Leonard crafted this as a play, and the cinematography leaves you with more of a stage feeling, than a film setting, but this doesn't detract from some stellar performances by the venerable Bernard Hughes, and what is probably Martin Sheen's finest performance.

Funny, timeless, and ultimately very sad and touching. I hate to gush, but this movie brings it out in me. Flawless.

Loved this movie and have played it several times over. This is the only project to top "The Quiet Man" as my favourite Irish film.

William Hickey as Drumm comes out with the keenest observations in the film, Doreen Hepburn captures the spirit of all Irish "mammies" (bless them) while the peerless Barnard Hughes adds the mischief and humour. Other parts (young Charlie, Boy Charlie and Oliver) are portrayed beautifully by a wealth of young Irish talent. The scene at the wake when the various mourners talk about the departed is 100% on the nail for accuracy.

I had the very great pleasure of meeting Martin Sheen on the set of "Da" in Ardmore studios and he was utterly charming.

The caption for this film was "Charlies father is dead, he won't lie down and he won't shut up!" Charlie is played by Martin Sheen (who also shared executive producer roles)returning to his home town in Southern Ireland to attend to his late father's (Barnard Hughes) affairs. from here he relives his childhood and confronts the past with comic results. the comedy is in the dialogue rather than the action. The film avoids Irish cliches and captures 1950's Ireland well.

"Da" is such a wonderful movie. The acting is superb and the grief process wonderfully dramatized. As a descendant of Irish families this story made me laugh and cry - I recognized the antics and special ways of many of my relatives who filled my life with color and drama! Hugh Leonard has told a story of deep emotion in a very human and down to earth way - it comes across as true and then the actors, especially Bernard Hughs and Martin Sheen, carry it out magnificently. I have searched and searched for a DVD copy and have been informed that the Australian DVD will not work here in the USA. Please produce this movie on DVD for the USA. Please.

I am not a fan of Martin Sheen by any stretch of the imagination. I will move on to another channel by instinct if he happens to appear on the screen. However, I remember seeing this on TV many years ago and never seeing it again. It must have been one of his best performances. This came out shortly after my father passed away, and I was mesmerized by the mental conflicts that were haunting Charlie as he attempted to come to terms with the death of his father. The mix of humor and mental anguish brought me up and then plummeted me to the ground throughout the film. It was much like a roller-coaster ride, cautious at one moment at what might come next, but yet anxious to see what it might be. I would like to see the film again, Martin Sheen's performance was outstanding.

Now I must have been around sixteen years old when I first watched this, much to my mother's surprise, I actually rented something that was guaranteed to pull at the heart strings, rather ripped said beating heart from your chest, yes I was one of those teenagers back in the 80's who was forever renting horror movies!

However from time to time I was always caught off guard by the latest trailer I had watched, and true enough Hugh Leonard's very own screen adaptation of his award winning play had caught my attention.

Back in the 80's, I was never interested in girls, was I even interested in school? Well that's another story! But a trip to the video store was always a big highlight for me, and of course being half Irish, the landscape of the movie resonated deeply with me.

Being of an age now whereby I recall my time as a boy in Ireland, and my very own relationship with my father and indeed my Irish side of the family, gathers ever more momentum as I get older.

Having just watched the movie for the first time in 30 years, for years leading up to this point I used to quote lines from the movie to my wife every so often, 'Sappy Days' There's okd Drumm coming halfway up the The path and thst all time zinger as spoken by Martin Sheen as Charlie when he sees his long deceased dog coming back as one of those memories 'Ah you're dead too Blackie, you that! Such a line even all these years later still brings a tear to my eye, and the wife knows this all to well.

If you ever visited the small towns or villages in Ireland, then you willcone to realise, that life somehow stands still, we may move with our lives, create new memories, but the memories of our past will forever haunt us, Be they the good memories or indeed the bad.

Now I would imagine, Da is somewhat autobiographical, look for Hugh Leonard as oneof the pallbearers at Da's funeral, true elements of the movie make you feel like you are watching the stage play unfold, but as the movie plays out, it doesn't matter one bit.

The performances from all the cast remain unblemished by time, the late Barnard Hughes excels in his recreation of his role from stage as Da, and as for Martin Sheen, does he ever give a bad performance? Certainly not here, watch as he embraces the past, rekindles memories both heartwarming and of course heart wrenching in one of the greatest 80's movies ever made.

Truly touching and heart warmingly funny is Hugh Leonard's adaptation of his play "Da" and novel "Home Before Night". Simple story of one man's effort to finally communicate with his recently deceased father (who keeps popping into his head) hits all the right notes thanks to Matt Clark's skillful, subtle direction and two marvellous turns from the lead actors.

Martin Sheen gives one of his best ever performances as the frustrated son of a maddeningly placid gardener who just wants to be able to get through to his stubborn, down trodden father. And veteran Barnard Hughes is a pure delight as "Da", the feeble willed old man who doesn't ever seem to get mad at anything or anyone.

Clark develops and outlines this touching, tragic and at times all too shallow relationship beautifully, as both Sheen and Hughes bring their characters to life with passion and purpose. There is strong support from Doreen Hepburn, as Charlie's long suffering, determined mother, Karl Hayden as young Charlie and William Hickey as Charlie's irascible former employer.

Nancy Nutaal Beyda's editing is near perfection in its judgement while director of photography Alar Kivilo lenses with deft skill, capturing many times the beauty of Ireland. Frank Conway's production design is easy on the eye, and Elmer Bernstein's music is equally appealing to the aural senses, being both soothing and melodic.

Monday, November 6, 195 - Video

Watched this little gem of a film last night for the first time in years. A magical tale of love, regret, anxiety, guilt...everything an Irish move should have and then so much more.

Martin Sheen is and has always been a favourite of mine. His performance in Da is undoubtedly among his best ever work. But when I listen to him narrate this story it automatically becomes even more enchanting. His voice makes the audience feel as though they're sitting in the little kitchen with the family.

This film manages to find a perfect balance of laughter and sadness, happy tears and sad tears. One minute you'll feel totally empathetic to Charlie (Sheen) as he reminisces on times gone by and the next minute you'll be howling with laughter as Charlie is being scolded and embarrassed by 'Da'.

Finally, Bernard Hughes is an absolute gem. I'd forgotten what a fantastic performance he gives in this film. In a brilliant character twist it is Da who plays the joker, he's the child of the family while young Charlie is constantly dreaming of bettering himself thus proving to be a broody and almost unlikeable character. In effect it's almost as if Da and Charlie have swapped roles in the family.

As a result of watching this little gem it has jumped right up there with some of my favourite films. A classic and one I'll always keep hold of in my DVD collection!!

Irish writer Hugh Leonard has made a career out of coming to terms with his father's death, writing first a book and then a theatrical play about the experience, and now a screen adaptation of the same play, each of them an unashamedly sentimental vehicle for his memories of the proud but playful old man. Of the three it probably works best on screen, where the episodic timeline and playful unreality of the script are better served by creative editing, and by some handsome location photography (in the Irish seaside village of Dalkey). Martin Sheen, fatally miscast, portrays the expatriate Irishman who returns to the Shamrock Shores to bury the body and memory of his father, but not before trading some serio-comic banter with the old man's spirit and reviewing with him the key episodes of their life together. The screen version makes little attempt to camouflage the awkward stage dialogue, but does at least serve it with a gentle air of whimsy and plenty of local brogue. Barnard Hughes recreates his award-winning performance in the title role, but the entire cast is upstaged by a pet dog with an aversion to the Catholic Church.

The movie was interesting but the sad thing is that when a movie is not in Midwestern English dialect it very hard to follow. The Irish brogue has a person trying to figure out what was said and by the time you figure it out you is in another seen. Close Captions are a great learning tool for all ages.