Movies with proud fathers?

March 7, 2012 11:20 AM

Can you recommend movies where the primary theme is a son or daughter realizing that their father is proud of them?
posted by roaring beast to media & arts (27 answers total)

Inception. Arguably Star Wars as well.
posted by Think_Long at 11:24 AM on March 7, 2012

The Weather Man has a muted but poignant version of this theme, IIRC.

The first season of Six Feet Under plays very well with this theme.
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:25 AM on March 7, 2012

Not quite what you're looking for, but Eat Drink Man Woman explores the familial relationships among a father and his three daughters, who have a rather dysfunctional relationship. The movie culminates in the resolution of the dysfunction, with the father realizing that he is finally happy in life and proud of his daughters.
posted by LN at 11:25 AM on March 7, 2012 [2 favorites]

The Lion King
posted by mkultra at 11:39 AM on March 7, 2012

Hook. Though it takes a bit to realize that's what it is ultimately about.
posted by zizzle at 11:41 AM on March 7, 2012 [2 favorites]

Iron Man 2, Big Fish, Rudy, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
posted by JJtheJetPlane at 11:44 AM on March 7, 2012 [2 favorites]

October Sky
posted by cnc at 11:47 AM on March 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Warrior w/ Nick Nolte.
posted by snap_dragon at 12:03 PM on March 7, 2012

Oh yeah, John Q; arguably, like Star Wars mention, The Godfather...
posted by snap_dragon at 12:13 PM on March 7, 2012

Big Fish.

I saw Big Fish with my dad and brother back when it was making the indie rounds and we both remarked on while the movie was ostensibly about the father, it was really about how the father represented himself to the son. Then we cried for a while.
posted by Sphinx at 12:14 PM on March 7, 2012 [2 favorites]

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
posted by Sunburnt at 12:16 PM on March 7, 2012 [3 favorites]

Breaking Away
posted by readery at 12:17 PM on March 7, 2012 [5 favorites]

Zoolander.
posted by Oxydude at 12:18 PM on March 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Whale Rider.
posted by mazola at 12:19 PM on March 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

I came here to say Whale Rider too!

Dirty Dancing? Mary Poppins?
posted by Elly Vortex at 12:34 PM on March 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Jumanji.
posted by usonian at 12:41 PM on March 7, 2012

Young Frankenstein, in a manner of speaking.
posted by .kobayashi. at 12:42 PM on March 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

He Got Game
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:05 PM on March 7, 2012

Mulan
posted by permiechickie at 1:46 PM on March 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Would Field of Dreams count?
posted by SisterHavana at 3:02 PM on March 7, 2012

Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby
posted by mkultra at 3:21 PM on March 7, 2012

Gladiator.
posted by hootenatty at 3:52 PM on March 7, 2012

My first thought was also Dirty Dancing, weirdly.
posted by naoko at 4:38 PM on March 7, 2012

2nding Breaking Away. Lovely film.
posted by aquanaut at 4:48 PM on March 7, 2012

October Sky is the first one that I thought of.
posted by Dolley at 4:51 PM on March 7, 2012

These are great! Surprised to see so many action films. Thanks everyone!
posted by roaring beast at 6:37 PM on March 7, 2012

Billy Elliot
posted by angiep at 8:00 PM on March 7, 2012 [1 favorite]