''The Good Father'' is a 1985 British film directed by Mike Newell and starring

Anthony Hopkins Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. One of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actors, he is known for his performances on the screen and stage. Hopkins has received many accolad ...

, Jim Broadbent,

Harriet Walter Dame Harriet Mary Walter (born 24 September 1950) is a British actress. She has received a Laurence Olivier Award as well as numerous nominations including for a Tony Award, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2011 ...

, Fanny Viner,

Simon Callow Simon Phillip Hugh Callow (born 15 June 1949) is an English film, television and voice actor, director, narrator and writer. He was twice nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his roles in ''A Room with a View'' (19 ...

Joanne Whalley Joanne Whalley (born 25 August 1961) is an English actress who began her career in 1974. She has appeared primarily on television, but also in nearly 30 feature films, including '' Dance with a Stranger'' (1985), ''Willow'' (1988), ''Scandal'' ( ...

, and Michael Byrne. It is loosely based on Peter Prince's 1983 novel of the same name. It marked the first credited appearance in a feature film of

Stephen Fry Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director and writer. He first came to prominence in the 1980s as one half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie, alongside Hugh Laurie, with the two starring ...

. The film was produced for British television but received a theatrical release in the US.

Plot

Bill (Hopkins) is a man who is bitter about his recent divorce from his wife and the loss of custody of his only child. He acts out his anger by befriending another man, Roger (Broadbent), who has been sued for divorce by his wife, so that she can enter into a lesbian relationship with her lover. Bill tries to help the man out, by funding the latter's court case to regain custody of his child. Simon Callow plays an unscrupulous and sleazy barrister hired for the case. Soon Bill, who has focused his anger against feminism which he blames for robbing him of his family, begins to feel disgust for what he and his new friend are doing.

Cast

as Bill Hooper * Jim Broadbent as Roger Miles *

as Emmy Hooper * Frances Viner as Cheryl Langford *

as Mark Varda *

Miriam Margolyes Miriam ( he, מִרְיָם ''Mīryām'', lit. 'Rebellion') is described in the Hebrew Bible as the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and the older sister of Moses and Aaron. She was a prophetess and first appears in the Book of Exodus. The ...

as Jane Powell *

as Mary Hall * Michael Byrne as Leonard Scruby * Jennie Stoller as Bill's Friend * Johanna Kirby as Bill's Friend *

as Creighton *

Clifford Rose John Clifford Rose (24 October 1929 – 6 November 2021) was a British actor. Life and career Rose was born in Herefordshire. He was educated at the King's School, Worcester, and King's College London, before appearing in rep and began his ass ...

as Judge * Harry Grubb as Christopher Hooper * Tom Jamieson as Roger's Son

References

External links

* * * 1985 films 1985 drama films 1980s English-language films Films directed by Mike Newell Films based on British novels 1980s British films British drama television films {{tv-drama-film-stub