As someone who is known to prioritize her career, Rachel finds herself facing an unexpected turn of events on her wedding day. Despite her fiancé’s love for her, Rachel’s steadfast preoccupation with her job and constant phone calls with clients cause him to call off the wedding at the altar. Amidst her shattered state, Rachel’s estranged father, Harry, shows up in her life after 25 years of absence.
In the midst of the chaos, Harry offers to take Rachel out for drinks to lift her spirits. Although hesitant at first, Rachel accepts and the two drink until they pass out. When Rachel wakes up, they are already on a honeymoon cruise ship. Having been picked up by the honeymoon driver during their drunken state, Rachel is at once eager to return to reality while Harry is excited to spend time with her.
Throughout their journey on the cruise ship, Rachel and Harry engage in various fun activities with the other couples on board. They open up about their lives and share their previous experiences with their newfound friends. While Rachel remains stubborn and unimpressed with Harry’s every move, he tries his best to be friendly and get closer to her. It is here that Rachel begins to understand the complexity of her father’s life.
Despite their adventures, Rachel still struggles to forgive her father for his mistakes in the past. She continues to focus on her career, causing Harry to feel neglected. In an unfortunate turn of events, Rachel discovers that Harry is going through financial hardships. While initially thinking he came to her for money, she learns the truth about his struggle to care for his sick friend Gabe, whom he was close with until his death. Rachel comes to understand her father’s sacrifices and forgives him.
While the storyline is relatively uncomplicated and formulaic, Like Father is a pleasant, lighthearted film with relatable characters. It’s a feel-good story of a father and daughter reconnecting and forging unbreakable bonds. The theme of forgiveness and accepting people’s imperfections is well-portrayed, and our lead characters’ journey serves as an excellent example of building trust and bridges across generational gaps.
Although the plot is simple, it manages to draw in the audience with the stunning visuals and romantic atmosphere of the cruise ship. Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer do an excellent job portraying their roles as a stubborn daughter and a father seeking reconciliation.
In conclusion, Like Father is an enjoyable film to watch with your family. It has a few deeper moments that add depth to the story and offers an insight into how family ties can survive the test of time. The film may not win any Oscars, but it’s a fun and uplifting film that offers an excellent escape from reality.
