French auteur director Florian Zeller's debut film "The Father" garnered widespread attention upon its release in 2020. The film, adapted from the stage play of the same name, uses a unique narrative approach to depict the gradual erosion and damage to the mind of a dementia patient. Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins' masterful and nuanced performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor again after a 29-year hiatus. This time, director Florian Zeller's second installment, "The Son," is set to be released on January 13th. In addition to collaborating with Anthony Hopkins once more, it also attracted "Wolverine" Hugh Jackman, who volunteered himself to play the father in the film who strives to mend parent-child relationships, sharing the screen in a compelling confrontation with Anthony Hopkins.
In recent interviews, Hugh Jackman expressed immense admiration for the 85-year-old Anthony Hopkins, who continues to push boundaries and refine his acting craft. During the filming of "The Father," he reportedly sent daily letters to the director for six months, seeking advice on the role. Although he plays a supporting role in "The Son" this time, the number of questions he posed remained just as extensive. He never tires of the acting profession and remains consistently passionate about it. During the filming of their scenes together, director Florian never allowed the two stars to view the footage. He also encouraged a pressured Hugh Jackman, saying, "Trust me with the directing; you just need to focus on your dialogue with Anthony. I have great confidence in you!" With the mutual inspiration among these seasoned actors, Hugh Jackman delivered one of the best performances of his career, brilliantly portraying the torment of being overshadowed by his own father while simultaneously projecting the image of a perfect father to his son. Jackman's richly layered performance earned him a nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama at this year's Golden Globe Awards, placing him just one step away from an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Regarding his desire to play this multifaceted role, Hugh Jackman mentioned that it was actually related to his real-life relationship with his own father. "My mother passed away when I was eight, and my father raised us. We had a great relationship; we could go to a seven-hour cricket match and sit comfortably next to each other, even if we only talked for 20 minutes." His father, who influenced his entire life, had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for the past 12 years, with his health steadily declining. Before the filming of "The Son" began, a mentally prepared Hugh Jackman specifically rushed back to Australia to visit his father. However, this meeting turned out to be their last reunion. His father passed away while he was filming in London.
After learning of his father's passing, Hugh Jackman decided to stay in London and complete the film's production because he knew his father would never abandon his work and would expect him to do the same. "Filming this movie helped me heal. It's a story about vulnerable emotions, family, generations, and how our past influences who we are today. I used to think parents were meant to be protectors, but now that my children are grown, I believe it's more important to openly admit my vulnerabilities, allowing them to truly understand me."
"The Son" will be released in Taiwan on January 13th (Friday).