| Da |  | Director: Matt Clark
Actors: Barnard Hughes, Martin Sheen, William Hickey, Karl Hayden, Doreen Hepburn
Category: DVD
This item is no longer available
Rating:  5 reviews
Format: PAL
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 0
Discs: 1
Running Time: 102 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5017633202348
Theatrical Release Date: July 1988
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"It was a long time before I realized that love turned upside down is love for all that." September 9, 2009
Annie Van Auken (Planet Earth)
DA is a thoughtful exploration of family relations as seen in nostalgic flashbacks, that was adapted from the Tony-winning 1978 play by the show's creator, Hugh Leonard. Barnard Hughes reprises his starring role as the adoptive father of expatriot writer Charlie (a surrogate for Leonard himself).
Charlie (Martin Sheen) returns to County Dublin to bury "Da," a lovable but unambitious gardener who worked 47 years for the same family. While acting as pallbearer, Charlie hears his father's muffled voice coming from within the coffin. Da's typically impertinent remark causes Charlie to tell him to "shut up!" (Hugh Leonard cameos here as a pallbearer.)
Thus begins a bittersweet trip through Charlie's past. In fantasies of the mind, his dead parents, beloved dog and he (as a young man) come to vivid life and re-enact long-buried memories. Events are by turn humorous, surprising, and hauntingly sad.
A once-joyous friendship with gangly Oliver has grown painful, for Charlie's mate is today a failure who earns a meager living by walking Dalkey's streets clad in a signboard. Charlie's first employer, Drumm (marvelously portrayed by William Hickey) was an old man back then, yet is still alive and spry now. The scenes with Mother are particularly fine-- Doreen Hepburn truly is this character. Mother and Da love Charlie as if he were their own, this is quite clear, and despite some rough moments theirs is a solid family.
The adult Charlie is well-aware even as he sits, has tea, shares drinks and reminisces with Da that the man's newly buried. As he prepares to return to New York, Charlie throws away the sundry accumulations of Da's lifetime, even as the old man's specter hovers nearby to protest with mild, yet accepting indignation. A final interaction between them is the most gripping scene of the film.
This lovely story will touch the heart, especially of anyone who has lost their parents. Highest recommendation.
As of 4/09, DA was not available on DVD.
Related items:
Barnard Hughes is small town physician Dr. Aurelius Hogue in Michael Fox's DOC HOLLYWOOD (1991). (VHS) (DVD)
Martin Sheen plays father to his own son Charlie in WALL STREET (1987). (VHS) (DVD)
The always fun William Hickey has a fine minor role in the Steve Martin comedy, MY BLUE HEAVEN (1991). (VHS) (DVD)
Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.
(6.2) Da (1988) - Barnard Hughes/Martin Sheen/William Hickey/Karl Hayden/Doreen Hepburn/Hugh O'Conor/Peter Hanly/Maurice O'Donoghue/Jill Doyle/Hugh Leonard
Outstanding! January 22, 2009
Pamela Scott Batzek (San Diego)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I love this movie and think it is one of the best about family relationships I have seen. I have been trying to buy it on DVD for a VERY long time and can't figure out why it is not available.
Da March 20, 2006
Eileen Murphy (DE, USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This movie is simultaneously hysterically funny and poignantly sad. A wonderful representation of the Irish culture, their resiliancy and ability to use humor to rise above tragedy. Barnard Hughes and Martin Sheen have a chemistry that makes the film work. I await its American DVD release.
Hauntingly Heartwarming! August 6, 2001
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
A charming, enchanted tale of deeply-bonded love between father and son, a relationship that is sometimes salty, sometimes sweet, but nonetheless unconditional. Believably presented on film by actors Sheen, Hughes, et al. Uniquely directed with a cozy stage-like quality, it is a magnetic piece that has the ability to draw the viewer into every scene. Beautifully well-done and highly recommended!
I realised HOW & THAT I loved my father after seeing DA May 31, 1999
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The strong silent stoic type was Da and the adopted son could never 'get into' his father's head, understand his motivations, fathom his thinking, powerful scenes, including when the son tries to make it with a local 'easy' girl, Da passes-by introduces himself to the girl and suddenly this girl is a person and how could the son think of doing the 'manly thing', ! Saw the play also, though a long time ago and felt the film surpassed it.
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