Watch Forgetting Dad

Forgetting Dad is a documentary film from 2008 directed by Rick Minnich and his son, Justin Minnich. The film recounts Rick's journey to reconnect with his estranged father, Henry, who suffers from severe memory loss and believes that Rick is still a child. The movie opens with Rick telling the story of his parents' divorce and how it led to him losing touch with his father. Years later, Rick receives a phone call from his aunt informing him that Henry has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and has moved to a nursing home in California.

Rick makes the difficult decision to visit his father despite the emotional challenges it will bring. Upon arriving, he finds that Henry has no memory of their past and believes that Rick is his younger brother, Bobby. Rick and Henry's reunion is bittersweet as Rick tries to connect with a man who no longer remembers him.

The film deftly blends Rick's personal narrative with commentary from medical professionals and debates about the nature of memory and the impact that memory loss has on human relationships. We see how Henry's condition affects Rick's family, and Rick's struggle to make sense of it all.

As Rick learns more about his father's life, we are introduced to an array of eccentric characters who help piece together Henry's past. We meet Nicky, Henry's former girlfriend who still loves him, and who helps Rick understand how much Henry has lost. We also see how much Henry's condition has impacted his other son, Bobby, who is left to care for him.

The film is honest and intimate, shedding light on a topic that is often ignored or marginalized. It forces the viewer to confront their own mortality and the fragility of human connections. The filmmakers do an excellent job of balancing the emotional weight of the story with moments of humor and levity, creating a film that is both poignant and uplifting.

Forgetting Dad is a powerful film that offers a different perspective on Alzheimer's disease, memory loss, and the complexities of human relationships. It is an essential viewing for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and genuine look at the impact of dementia on families.

Forgetting Dad is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.