Watch If I Forget

If I Forget is a film directed by Daniel Sullivan that was released in 2017. It follows the story of the Fischer family, who are all brought together in Washington, D.C. for a reunion. Three siblings, Holly, Sharon, and Michael, all gather to celebrate their father Lou's 75th birthday. In addition to those three, their partners and children are also present at the reunion.

The Fischer family has always been a complicated and dynamic one. Each member of the family has their own desires, anxieties, and frustrations, and they all impact the others in different ways. Holly, the eldest sister, is an accomplished academic who has been tasked with writing a book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her relationship with her husband, Howard, is strained, and there is a sense that her scholarly work takes priority over her relationship with her family.

Sharon, the middle sister, has become increasingly religious in recent years, much to the surprise of her siblings. She has also had a complicated relationship with her daughter, Rosie, who is now an adult in her own right. Rosie is a progressive young woman with her own opinions about her family, and her role is pivotal in the story.

Finally, Michael, the youngest brother, is a successful lawyer with a daughter of his own. He is facing some challenges in his relationship with his wife, Ellen, as she has been struggling with depression. This issue will become increasingly central to the story as it unfolds.

When the Fischer family comes together for Lou's birthday celebration, it becomes apparent that there are tensions running beneath the surface. Each sibling has their own idea of what should be celebrated and what should be remembered, and they all seem to have different ideas about what their family means to them.

One of the main themes of the movie is the idea of memory and its significance. As the siblings reminisce about their childhood and earlier times in their lives, it becomes clear that they all have their own versions of the same events. Additionally, they all seem to have their own agendas when it comes to what they want to remember and what they want to forget.

The movie also touches on issues of religion, politics, and family dynamics. The siblings begin to argue about their differing opinions on Israel and Palestine, with each sibling having their own ideas about what is right and wrong in that conflict. The tension between Sharon's newfound religiosity and her siblings' more secular lifestyles is also a source of tension.

Throughout the film, there is a sense that the Fischer family is on the brink of something. There is a palpable feeling of unresolved tension that hangs over the festivities, and it becomes clear that some kind of reckoning is coming. As the night wears on and the arguments escalate, it seems inevitable that something will have to give.

Overall, If I Forget is a thought-provoking and nuanced exploration of the complexities of family dynamics. The film deftly navigates issues of memory, religion, politics, and personal identity in a way that feels authentic and engaging. The performances by the cast, particularly Larry Bryggman, Maria Dizzia, and Tasha Lawrence, are excellent, and the writing is sharp and insightful. Fans of character-driven dramas and family stories should definitely give this movie a watch.