Editor’s note: The following is a review from a Critical Writing and Reviewing student at the University of Missouri.
You’re 46 years old. You’re driving, and you get rear-ended. Three days later, you can’t remember who you are, your family, or even where you are. “Forgetting Dad” narrates this true-life tale of Richard Minnich through his son, film director Rick Minnich, and the turmoil his amnesia has brought to his family. But things aren’t all what they seem.
Through a series of interviews, reflections, home movies and reenactments, “Forgetting Dad” unfolds a story of either out-of-this-world circumstance or 18 years of deception. At the time of the accident Richard Minnich faced some serious problems, including affairs, potential legal issues with the bank he had been fired from, failure to keep a job and more. So, was the amnesia really amnesia, or was it a man trying to escape the life and responsibilities of a troubled existence? The film keeps you guessing with twists and turns and revelations that make the real reason for the “new Richard” unclear.
Interviews lead the narrative, with the director’s voice and home movies transitioning the viewer from one stage of the 18-year saga to another. Richard’s second wife, Lora, who was in the car with him at the accident, initially illustrates the toll his memory loss has taken on the family and how his amnesia progressed. He never regained his memory, and it doesn’t seem like he made much of an effort to regain it. Interviews with his children also immerse the viewer into a family ridden with depression, drug problems, and the ever-present question, “If your father no longer remembers you, does he stop being your father?”
Directors Rick Minnich and Matt Sweetwood excel in their treatment of the story, leaving the viewer with not just a tale of an unfortunate situation, but also a larger question of personal identity. Home movies of the “old Richard” and happy family outings in the 1960s and ‘70s are sprinkled throughout the film and work nicely with the descriptions of the “new Richard,” giving the audience a clear contrast of the two lives. Reenactments of doctor’s visits sometimes seem out of place in the film, giving parts of the documentary a Discovery Channel “Mystery Diagnosis” vibe, but emphasize the true medical mystery of Richard’s amnesia, of which there is no physical evidence.
The only piece missing from this documentary is recent interviews with Richard, which he was unwilling to give. The film balances this out with home movies from Richard taken previous to filmmaking, and the emphasis on his family’s reactions to the amnesia. Some of the family members are more suspicious than others, but all have the feeling that the Richard they knew is dead, replaced by a man they only physically recognize.
The film balances nostalgic scenes well with the stark reality of the situation, making the contrast between old and new a major theme. And even though old home movies and happy memories make the old Richard seem ideal, it becomes obvious that the old Richard had plenty of skeletons. The directors also seem to avoid the soap opera trap that would be easy for this kind of story to fall into, illustrating drama along with solemn perspective. So, did Richard really have a rarest of the rare condition, or does he deserve a standing ovation for his almost two-decades long performance? The film keeps you entertained, wondering and reflecting beyond show time.
By Nancy McMullen
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