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About My Father (2023) movie poster

Timeline

About My Father (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 89 min · English
Echo score 50
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Directed by
Laura Terruso
Starring
Anders Holm, Brett Dier, David Rasche, Deborah Tucker, Jessie Camacho, Kim Cattrall
Budget
$30M

Sebastian, a successful realtor living in Los Angeles, decides to bring his aging Sicilian father, Salvo, to meet his fiancée and her eccentric family. The clash of cultures leads to a series of hilarious misunderstandings and unexpected connections. As Sebastian navigates the chaos, he and his father discover the importance of family and embracing their unique traditions and quirks.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like About My Father
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

About My Father Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of About My Father (2023) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Sebastian's Reflection

    The film opens with an engaging monologue by Sebastian Maniscalco, who reflects on his rich Sicilian heritage. He nostalgically recounts the struggles of his ancestors and the strong family bonds that shaped his values.

  2. Meet Salvo

    Sebastian admires his father Salvo, an eccentric hairstylist portrayed by Robert De Niro. Salvo's flamboyant lifestyle often leaves Sebastian bemused as he grows up.

  3. Sebastian and Ellie

    As the narrative progresses, Sebastian begins a romantic journey with Ellie, spirited woman from a wealthy background. Their relationship is introduced amid the backdrop of her influential family.

  4. The Fourth of July Invitation

    Ellie invites Sebastian to her family's lavish Fourth of July celebration at their summer estate. Sebastian feels embraced by her family and is excited yet apprehensive about the interactions.

  5. Confiding in Salvo

    Sebastian shares his concerns about his mother's absence with Salvo. Ellie encourages Salvo to join the celebrations, while Sebastian plans to propose during the event with Salvo's participation in mind.

  6. Helicopter Ride

    The family’s adventure begins with a thrilling helicopter ride arranged by Lucky. Sebastian transforms his nervousness into exhilaration as they approach the stunning estate.

  7. Arrival at the Estate

    Upon arrival, they receive a warm welcome, but Salvo feels out of place in the upscale surroundings. The atmosphere lightens as Salvo's whimsical antics arise during a dinner at a prestigious country club hosted by Bill.

    Where
    Country Club
  8. Discovering Art

    While settling into the estate, Sebastian discovers artworks created by Ellie in Bill's office, highlighting her parents' support for her creativity. This realization deepens Sebastian’s admiration for her.

    Where
    Bill's Office
  9. Tennis Match

    The night progresses with a spirited tennis match where Sebastian competes against Tigger and Lucky. He channels his competitive spirit and achieves victory amid comedic chaos.

  10. Career Opportunity

    On Bill's luxurious yacht, Sebastian stumbles upon a significant career opportunity at the family hotel, which Lucky had long aspired to. This unexpected twist adds excitement to the storyline.

    Where
    Bill's Yacht
  11. Salvo's Hair Styling

    In a humorous scene, Tigger encourages Salvo to style her hair for a live broadcast, leading to chaotic and comedic consequences as Salvo expresses his creative flair.

  12. Miscommunication with the Peacock

    A miscommunication leads Salvo to prepare one of the family’s pet peacocks for dinner, straining the bond between father and son, and injecting humor into Sebastian’s experience.

  13. Heartfelt Note

    Amidst the chaos, Sebastian discovers a heartfelt note from Salvo expressing a longing to go home. This moment deepens the emotional connection between father and son.

  14. The Proposal

    The celebrations culminate as Sebastian dramatically proposes to Ellie during a live broadcast, a moment filled with joy as she accepts, much to the delight of everyone present.

  15. Christmas Photo Shoot

    During a festive Christmas photo shoot, Sebastian declines Bill’s tempting job offer, choosing instead to remain in Chicago with Ellie. Their happiness is solidified by a comedic reunion involving the family's dog.

Last updated: October 21, 2024 at 20:56

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Timeline questions answered

About My Father Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of About My Father (2023): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Salvo almost cook the pet peacock?

Salvo miscommunicates with the kitchen staff and mistakenly believes the peacock is meant for dinner. The family keeps peacocks as pets, not food, so this humorous misunderstanding strains his relationship with Sebastian, who has to navigate the awkward situation while trying to keep the peace between his father and Ellie's family.

  • peacock
  • salvo
  • cooking
  • misunderstanding
  • family dinner
Q2

Why does Sebastian decline Bill's job offer?

Sebastian chooses to decline the lucrative hotel management position because he wants to remain in Chicago with Ellie rather than move for a job. His decision prioritizes his relationship and personal happiness over career advancement, showing his commitment to the life he's built with his fiancée.

  • job offer
  • bill
  • chicago
  • sebastian
  • career
Q3

How does Sebastian propose to Ellie?

Sebastian proposes to Ellie during a live broadcast at her family's Fourth of July celebration. He includes his father Salvo in the proposal, making it a meaningful moment that bridges their different worlds. Ellie joyfully accepts, and the proposal becomes the emotional climax of the family gathering.

  • proposal
  • ellipse
  • sebastian
  • live broadcast
  • fourth of july
Q4

Why does Tigger ask Salvo to style her hair?

Tigger, a senator, encounters Salvo at the estate and, learning he's a hairstylist, asks him to style her hair for a live broadcast. This moment showcases her willingness to embrace Salvo's unique talents despite the cultural divide, leading to comedic chaos as the eccentric hairstylist takes on the challenge.

  • tigger
  • salvo
  • hair
  • senator
  • live broadcast
Q5

What does Salvo's note to Sebastian say?

Salvo leaves Sebastian a heartfelt note expressing his longing to go home. The note reveals Salvo's discomfort in the upscale, unfamiliar environment of Ellie's wealthy family estate. This emotional moment helps Sebastian understand his father's feelings and strengthens their father-son bond.

  • salvo
  • note
  • home
  • sebastian
  • letter
Q6

Why does Salvo feel out of place at the estate?

Salvo feels uncomfortable at Ellie's luxurious summer estate because he comes from a working-class Italian background while her family is extremely wealthy. The upscale surroundings, formal country club dinners, and unfamiliar social customs create a cultural divide that makes him feel like an outsider.

  • salvo
  • estate
  • culture clash
  • uncomfortable
  • wealthy family
Q7

Why does Lucky arrange the helicopter ride?

Lucky arranges the thrilling helicopter ride as a welcoming gesture for Sebastian and Salvo, wanting to impress them with the family's wealth and create an exciting introduction to the estate. The gesture reflects Lucky's charismatic personality and attempt to bridge the cultural gap between the two families.

  • lucky
  • helicopter
  • estate
  • welcome
  • arrival
Q8

What career opportunity does Sebastian find on the yacht?

While on Bill's yacht, Sebastian discovers a significant hotel management position at the family hotel that becomes available. This job opportunity represents a major career advancement, though it's later revealed Lucky had also aspired to this same position, adding tension to the dynamic.

  • hotel
  • job
  • yacht
  • bill
  • lucky
  • career opportunity
Q9

Why does Sebastian feel guilty about his mother's absence?

Sebastian confides in Salvo about feeling guilty regarding his mother's absence, though the specific details of her whereabouts aren't elaborated in the film. This guilt stems from his complicated family dynamics as he navigates introducing his father to his new life and fiancée.

  • sebastian
  • mother
  • guilt
  • family
  • absence
Q10

What happens with the peacock at the end?

In the final comedic scene, the family dog Duke returns with remnants of the peacock, which was supposed to have been eaten. This humorous resolution relieves the earlier tension from the peacock misunderstanding and provides a lighthearted conclusion that brings the whole family together in laughter.

  • peacock
  • duke
  • dog
  • ending
  • comedy

Movie threads

More Movies Like About My Father, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes About My Father tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Culture Clash Family Comedies like About My Father

Humorous stories where different families and traditions collide with heart. If you loved the hilarious misunderstandings and warm heart in About My Father, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features comedies where families from different worlds meet, finding humor and connection in their differences. Discover similar funny and heartfelt stories about embracing traditions and new relationships.

  • humorous
  • warm
  • heartfelt
  • familial
  • uplifting
  • playful
  • Tone: light, humorous, warm
  • Pacing: steady, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear structure centered around a specific event, like a wedding meeting or a holiday gathering. The central conflict is social and cultural, driven by well-intentioned but awkward interactions. The journey resolves not with victory for one side, but with a mutual understanding and appreciation that strengthens the family bonds.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on lighthearted, humorous takes on cultural and class differences within a family context. They balance comedic set-pieces with a genuine, uplifting emotional core, resulting in a feel-good experience where laughter leads to connection.

Father-Son Bonding Comedies like About My Father

Charming comedies about fathers and sons reconnecting through humorous events. Fans of the dynamic between Sebastian and Salvo in About My Father will appreciate these movies. This collection highlights comedies centered on the unique, often humorous, bond between fathers and sons. Explore similar stories of generational clashes, awkward moments, and ultimately, heartfelt reconciliation and love.

  • heartfelt
  • humorous
  • familial
  • uplifting
  • generational
  • bonding
  • Tone: light, heartfelt, humorous
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a catalyst—a visit, a trip, or a life event—that brings a somewhat distant father and son into close quarters. Their differences are played for comedy, but the underlying arc is one of reconciliation. The son often seeks approval or understanding, while the father learns to accept his son's choices, culminating in a moment of genuine connection.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared gentle, comedic exploration of the father-son dynamic. They prioritize warmth and humor over heavy drama, creating an uplifting viewing experience centered on familial love and the quiet journey of understanding between generations.

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Every angle

About My Father (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about About My Father in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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