A Boy Called Dad explores the concept of fatherhood. Just as he becomes a dad at 14, Robbie (Kyle Ward) meets by chance his own father, Joe (Ian Hart) who deserted the family when he was a small child. Robbie, deprived of his own father whom he thought was in Ireland but in fact lived not so far away (and his stepfather has just left too), is denied his role as a father. He has to watch the baby from the sidelines. For Coronation Street fans, the baby's mother Leanne is played by Sasha Parkinson (Sian). The developing relationship between Robbie and Joe is rather touching although one often feels that the son is more mature than the father! At one point soon after meeting his reluctant parent, Robbie stands in front of a mirror and pulls out his ears to see if he resembles his father. Dad teaching son to dance is another humorous scene the like of which I would have been happy to see more.
However A Boy Called Dad moves on to Robbie's abduction of his son and his experiences on the run – again some touching scenes of Robbie getting to grips with looking after a baby. However the inclusion of the scenes with a farmer's daughter did nothing for the film. It was a diversion too far, when we should have seen more of Ian Hart's excellent acting.
In parts A Boy Called Dad seems very like the slow-moving direction of French films. It is beautifully shot and the acting of Ian Hart and newcomer Kyle Ward is skillful but ultimately the film is not as moving as I had thought it would be. No need for tissues but maybe I'm hard-hearted!.
Directed by Brian Percival and produced by Michael Knowles and Stacey Murray A Boy Called Dad [DVD] [2009]
is available from Amazon.