Father and Son (1931) is a loud, messy look at a dad who cares too much

Is it worth your time?

If you like old movies where people yell their feelings in dusty rooms, then yes. It is a good pick for a rainy afternoon when you feel like watching someone else have a mid-life crisis.

People who hate slow pacing or 1930s acting styles will probably want to turn it off after ten minutes. It’s not a thriller, even if the music tries to act like it is sometimes. 🎬

The first thing you notice about Father and Son is how much sweat is on Mr. Markurell’s face. Victor Sjöström plays him like a man who is about to pop a vein at any second.

He is an innkeeper who didn't grow up with money, and now he is obsessed with his son, Johan, becoming a proper gentleman. He’s the kind of dad who thinks he can buy anything, including a passing grade.

There is this one scene where he’s talking to the school teachers and he looks like a giant compared to them. The teachers are all thin and look like they haven't seen the sun in years.

It’s funny but also kind of sad because you can tell he doesn't realize how much of a fool he's making of himself. The movie doesn't really tell you how to feel about him right away.

The Drama of the Exams

The whole plot is basically a countdown to the school exams. It feels way more stressful than it should be.

I kept thinking about how much pressure that kid must be under. Johan, the son, doesn't actually do much in the movie. He just sort of stands there looking worried while his dad bulldozes everyone.

The supporting cast is okay, but they feel like they are in a play. Pauline Brunius has some good moments, but sometimes she stares off into space for a bit too long.

I noticed the sound quality is a bit fuzzy, which happens with these early 1930s films. Sometimes you have to squint with your ears to hear what they are saying.

It reminded me of the stiff feeling you get in Inside the Lines, where the sets feel like they might fall over if someone slams a door too hard.

A few things that stuck out:

• The way Markurell handles his hat. He grips it like he’s trying to choke it.
• The lighting in the school hallway is actually pretty creepy. It looks like a haunted house.
• There is a lot of talking. Like, a lot. If you aren't in the mood for dialogue, skip this one.
• The ending hits harder than I thought it would. It stops being a comedy about a pushy dad and gets real quiet.

The movie is a bit like Humoresques in the way it deals with family expectations, but it’s much more grounded in this weird, small-town Swedish vibe.

I liked the lunch scene where everyone is trying to be polite while Markurell is basically holding them hostage with his personality. You can see the actors in the background actually eating, which is a nice touch. Usually, people just poke at their food in movies. 🥘

There is a weird bit of editing in the middle where a character leaves a room and then suddenly they are across town in the next shot. It’s jumpy. It makes you wonder if they lost some of the film or if the editor just wanted to go home early that day.

It doesn't have the high-flying energy of something like The Flying Fleet. It’s very much stuck on the ground, in the mud, with these unhappy people.

Ultimately, I think it works because of Sjöström. He has this way of looking at his son that is both terrifying and very sweet. It’s a clunky movie, sure. But it’s got a soul.

It’s not perfect. Some of the secondary characters, like the school board members, just blend into one big grey blur of suits. I couldn't tell you any of their names if you paid me.

If you enjoy seeing how people lived and worried about their kids ninety years ago, give it a watch. Just don't expect it to be a masterpiece. It's just a solid, slightly awkward story about a guy who didn't know when to stop.