watch later

Not interested / seen

Daddy Longlegs (2009)Daddy Longlegs (2009)

Daddy Longlegs (2009)

An unhinged yet affectionate portrait of bad parenting from the Safdie Brothers

Comedy, Drama

7.5

movie

France, United States of America
English
Slice-of-Life
2009
Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
Abel Ferrara, Casey Neistat, Dakota O'Hara
99 min

Synopsis

rotten tomatoes
imdb
wikipedia
After months of living a solitary existence, Lenny, 34, picks up his kids from school. Every year he spends a couple of weeks with his sons Sage, 9, and Frey, 7. Lenny hosts his kids within a midtown studio apartment in New York. During these two weeks, he must figure out if he wants to act as their father or be their friend. Ultimately, their trip upstate results in complete lawlessness taking over their lives.

Our Take

7.5
Igor Fishman

The Safdie Brothers spent over a decade making films before their mainstream breakout with Good Time and Uncut Gems. Their rich backlog captures New York City in its raw vibrant glory. Daddy Longlegs is the sardonic semi-autobiographical portrait of the Safdies’ childhood spent with their father after their parents’ divorce. 

Lenny (Ronald Bronstein) is an awful dad whose parenting style ranges from the wildly irresponsible to the criminally negligent. While his behavior is often detestable and has few if any redeeming traits, the Safdies’ puncture through his demeanor and craft a sensitive portrait of fatherhood imbued with affection and feeling that could only originate from the well of a child’s capacity for forgiveness and love.

 

Comments

What did you think? Who should watch it?

Next up

Riceboy Sleeps (2022)

best

8.6

An immigrant tale that is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking

Mystery Train (1989)

6.7

Memphis, Tennessee (and Elvis Presley) are enough to draw three unexpected stories towards a run-down flophouse

The Hole (1998)

7.7

In a world where reality crumbles, a water shortage sets the stage for an unforgettable cinematic journey

Language Lessons (2021)

7.2

One of the few optimistic takes on online friendship and technology

Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy (2013)

best

8.5

An absurd and endlessly creative coming-of-age story that finds profound meaning in the mess of youth

Rouge (1987)

best

8.4

A vivid, stunning gothic romance in Hong Kong, torn across decades

Lost in America (1985)

7.2

A hilarious yet depressing satire about leaving it all behind

Made in Hong Kong (1997)

7.5

A nihilistic teen gangster melodrama about abandonment set in 1997 Hong Kong

Y tu mamá también (2001)

7.0

Alfonso Cuarón uncovers the raw desires and thrilling adventures of youth in a sensual and provocative journey through Mexico's landscapes

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

best

8.5

A modern Shakespeare adaptation turned essential road movie about two gay hustlers

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw

© 2023 agoodmovietowatch. Altona Studio, LLC, all rights reserved.