about parents

Everybody's Fine starring De Niro and familiar faces as his kids (Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore) remind us or specifically me that children are always closer to their mothers than their fathers. A retired hard worker who a few months ago lost his wife, De Niro traversed the continental US touching base with each of his offsprings, uncovering white lies and realising that as adults they confided to their mother while keeping him in the dark about their lives and careers. It's a nuanced performance from De Niro, miles away from Meet the Fockers, far removed from The Godfather 2.

As its premise, the film's overall quality is no great shakes. But it tells the truth, men are not into pussified emotions, we should know that by now. Or they're not men? It's that bit of black and white.

From my experience, Filipino men may have no qualms singing Barry Manilow. But for hard core Englishmen, that's a no-no.

However, most cultures gallivant towards the Oedipal features of existence. We confide to our mothers or mother figures our deepest problems and secrets. While daddy is there to give us our allowance.

It's true in a way as fathers, in the history of time are the breadwinners in the basic family unit. In my family growing up, my mother may have her weaknesses, but her wide intellectual scope was the powerful tool in providing us with structure. Nonetheless, fathers are not way less important, by virtue of being fathers and being there, they not only build the foundation of our future but empower us for the challenging times ahead.