Review: Father's Chair (Luciano Moura, 2013)

In Father’s Chair Brazilian star Wagner Moura (the star of Elite Squad and the sequel, The Enemy Within, as well as recently delivering an eye-catching supporting turn in Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium) gives an affecting and versatile performance as a selfish man consumed by self-pity who begins to iron out his personal flaws. He effortlessly guides us through this endearing road movie about a fractured family, the directorial debut from Luciano Moura. Fernando Meirelles, the director of the great City of God, lends his skills as a producer.

 

Moura stars as Theo, a successful and hardworking doctor, husband and father who has chosen his career over his family. But when he faces the loss of everything he holds dear – a bitter union with his wife Branca (Mariana Lima) and a pending separation, and newfound estrangement from his 15-year-old son Pedro (Bras Antunes) – he is thrust into a journey of self-enlightenment. Suddenly, Pedro disappears, which sets up an intriguing mystery. Has he run away? Was he abducted? Theo begins a desperate search for his son, traveling across Brazil, finding himself and re-evaluating what he values most in his life.

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