Fathers' Day

Fathers' Day

Year: 1997

Runtime: 98 min

Director: Ivan Reitman

ComedyRomance

In Kigali, Rwanda, a mother grapples with profound loss while her daughter strives to save her father’s life. A thief, attempting a misguided act, unwittingly involves his own son, creating unexpected complications. Their intertwined stories unfold against the backdrop of a memorable Father's Day, revealing themes of family, sacrifice, and redemption in this heartwarming drama.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Fathers' Day (1997)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Fathers' Day (1997). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1990s

Set in the late 1990s, the story uses road-tripping families, touring bands, and motel culture as its backdrop. The era's casual attitudes toward youth, romance, and fame shape the decisions and misunderstandings of the adults and Nikki. The California settings and rock music reflect a contemporary road-movie vibe.

Location

San Francisco, Sacramento, Reno

The film travels across California from San Francisco to Sacramento and Reno. San Francisco provides the backdrop of urban life and hotel rooms where adults respond to crisis; Sacramento serves as the initial hub of the search for Scott; Reno becomes the chaotic stage of the Sugar Ray concert that heightens the stakes. The road between these cities underscores the journey of the characters and the evolving dynamics among them.

🗺️ Road trip 🏙️ California cities 🎶 Rock concert settings

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:09

Main Characters – Fathers' Day (1997)

Meet the key characters of Fathers' Day (1997), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Scott Andrews (Charlie Hofheimer)

A 16-year-old runaway whose pursuit of freedom collides with his parents' uncertain paternity. He is impulsive yet emotionally vulnerable, navigating first love with Nikki while confronting the consequences of his absence from home.

🧭 Teen 💔 First love 🗺️ Road-wary

Nikki (Haylie Johnson)

Scott's girlfriend who runs away with him and follows Sugar Ray on tour. Her romance with Scott embodies youthful romance and the allure of the road, setting the plot in motion and testing the adults' assumptions about family.

🎸 Rock fan 💃 Young love 🌀 Adventure

Collette Lawrence (Nastassja Kinski)

Scott's mother who initiates the search by telling two exes that Scott may be their son. She is pragmatic and evasive at times, driven by a desire to reunite the family while acknowledging the confusion her deception creates.

👩‍👧 Family dynamics 🗣️ Secrets 🧭 Motivations

Jack Lawrence (Billy Crystal)

A lawyer and estranged husband who reluctantly becomes involved in finding Scott. He wrestles with doubt and the pull of paternal instinct, gradually embracing the possibility of fatherhood and choosing to protect the boy.

👨‍⚖️ Professional 👨‍👦 Father figure 🤝 Growth

Dale Putley (Robin Williams)

A writer planning suicide who teams up with Jack and becomes a paternal ally, revealing his own vulnerabilities and capacity for care. His wit adds humor while his emotional arc deepens the film's themes of connection and redemption.

🧠 Writer 🧭 Road companion 💬 Dark humor

Shirley (Patti D'Arbanville)

Nikki's mother, a protective figure who provides the thread connecting the families. She represents the maternal concern and the consequences of the intertwined stories.

👩‍👧 Family matriarch 🗣️ Truth 🧩 Link

Bob (Bruce Greenwood)

Collette's father, a steady presence who adds another layer to the family dynamic. His involvement grounds the story in intergenerational perspectives on parenting and belonging.

👨‍👦 Family elder 🧭 Guidance 🗣️ Perspective

Carrie Lawrence (Julia Louis-Dreyfus)

Jack's wife who becomes involved emotionally as she fears the changes in Jack's behavior. She embodies the domestic perspective and concerns about trust, children, and future stability.

🏡 Home 💬 Communication 👩‍👧 Family support

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:09

Major Themes – Fathers' Day (1997)

Explore the central themes of Fathers' Day (1997), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👨‍👦 Fatherhood

Two men are led to believe they may be the father of Scott, forcing them to confront what it means to be a father. The film explores paternal longing, responsibility, and the messy, emotional quest to protect and connect with a child. Through miscommunication and growing trust, the men move from competition to partnership in the search for Scott.

🛣️ Road Trip

The pursuit unfolds across multiple California cities, turning a high-stakes search into a journey of self-discovery for the characters. The road becomes a space where secrets surface, alliances form, and loyalties are tested. The trip reveals flaws and kind acts, deepening the bond among the trio.

💔 Love

Nikki's romance with Scott and the broader parental tensions drive emotional tension throughout the story. The film shows how love can complicate loyalties, blur assumptions about paternity, and push characters toward forgiveness. Heartbreak serves as a catalyst for growth and reconciliation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:09

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Unlock the Full Story of Fathers' Day

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Fathers' Day Summary

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Fathers' Day Summary

Fathers' Day Timeline

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Fathers' Day Timeline

Fathers' Day Spoiler-Free Summary

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Fathers' Day Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Fathers' Day

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