Watch The Confirmation

The Confirmation is a heartwarming drama-comedy film from 2016, directed by Bob Nelson and starring Clive Owen, Maria Bello, and Jaeden Martell. The movie follows the story of a recovering alcoholic carpenter named Walt (Owen) who finds himself tasked with taking care of his eight-year-old son Anthony (Martell) for the weekend, after his ex-wife and her new husband go on a religious retreat.

The film takes place in a small town in Washington state and opens with Walt picking up his son Anthony from his ex-wife's apartment in Seattle. It's clear from the beginning that Walt and Anthony have a strained relationship, as they haven't spent much time together in the past few years. Anthony is a shy, introverted boy who has trouble fitting in at school, and Walt is a gruff and stubborn man who also struggles with connecting with others.

The weekend starts off rocky, with Walt having trouble getting his truck to start which forces him and Anthony to take public transportation to get to his job site. Once there, they discover that the tools Walt needs have been stolen, forcing him to try to complete the job with improvised tools. Meanwhile, Anthony tags along, bored and disinterested in what his father is doing.

As the day goes on, the two begin to bond over their shared love of carpentry and handy work, as well as their mutual struggles with faith and spirituality. Along the way, they meet a colorful cast of characters including Walt's old friend and fellow carpenter (played by Tim Blake Nelson), a pawn shop owner (played by Patton Oswalt), and a veterinarian (played by Matthew Modine) who helps them in a time of need.

Throughout the film, there are themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of human connection. The relationship between Walt and Anthony slowly begins to evolve and grow stronger as they confront their demons and work together to tackle the challenges they face throughout the weekend.

Clive Owen delivers a fantastic performance as Walt, capturing the character's gruff exterior while also showing his softer, more vulnerable side. Jaeden Martell is also excellent as Anthony, portraying a complex mixture of shyness and maturity beyond his years. The supporting cast is also noteworthy, with Maria Bello bringing her usual depth and nuance to the role of Anthony's mother.

Overall, The Confirmation is a heartwarming and funny movie that will resonate with anyone who has struggled to connect with someone they love. Bob Nelson's direction is understated and subtle, allowing the performances and screenplay to shine. The movie may not have garnered much attention upon its release, but it is definitely worth seeking out for fans of touching family dramas.

The Confirmation is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 65.