Oh Dad, Poor Dad

Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mammas Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad is an eccentric and darkly comedic film released in 1967. Adapted from Arthur L. Kopit's play of the same name, it stands out as a cult classic of the paradigm-shifting cinema of the 1960s. A mishmash of absurd antics and poignant drama, this film takes the viewer on a strange roller-coaster ride into the countercultural fervor of its era. It is a satirical comedy directed by Richard Quine and produced by United Artists; it stars the remarkable Rosalind Russell, Robert Morse, and Barbara Harris, among several other key characters.

In the film, Rosalind Russell, a seasoned actress of Golden Age Hollywood, gives a beautiful and extraordinary performance as the neurotic and overbearing widow, Madame Rosepettle. Her portrayal of this eccentric woman is one of the primary ingredients that spice up this peculiar narrative. She's oppressive yet pitiable, domineering yet fragile—an amalgamation that adds an interesting spin to the narrative and adds zest to her character's idiosyncrasies. Madame Rosepettle is accompanied by her bizarre pets: a Venus flytrap that dines on live meat, and a fish that's been specially trained to fetch the newspaper for her.

Enter Jonathan, Madame Rosepettle's shy and repressed son, played to perfection by Robert Morse. Morse plays the 22-year-old virgin who's dominated and cut-off from the world by his controlling mother to the hilt. Tucked away from the world outside, he portrays his character with adequate intensity and quirk.

Opposite him, Barbara Harris plays Rosalie, another curious character who plays an integral part in the narrative. In the midst of this caricature, cartoonish universe, Rosalie, who seduces the young Jonathan, brings an element of raw reality and normalcy—or as normal one could be within this bizarro world fashioned by the narrative.

Complementing the stellar performances of the lead actors, the film is infused with surrealism and dark humor, enabled by the eccentricity of its characters, the bizarre scenarios and its countercultural themes. The narrative incorporates the absurd and indulges the viewer into its unique world, delivering a viewing experience most terrifyingly wonderful.

The film’s setting and its cinematography are also noteworthy. The action unfolds in numerous lavish, tropical, baroque settings filled with bizarre decorations, conveying a sense of lavish decadence. The offbeat aesthetic strokes a balance between stylish kitsch and darkness that shapes its eccentric appeal.

Richard Quine, best known for his lighter comedies, brings a more daring and provocative perspective to this piece, beautifully translating Kopit's original dark humor and clever narrative onto the screen. The witty dialogue and fascinating plot make this film an engaging and topsy-turvy ride for anyone who enjoys more avant-garde cinema.

Despite being a scathing portrayal of parental control, societal conventions, and sexual repression, Oh Dad, Poor Dad also harbors an underlying theme of liberation—a voice crying to break free from the chains that bind the individual, highlighting the countercultural undercurrents of the 1960s.

While it may be an absurd comedy, the film also captures a certain tragic quality wrapped in its outrageous humor. It does this through the unraveling of the characters' psychological dimensions in the midst of the absurdist premise, resulting in a darkly comedic dichotomy that throws its audience into fits of both laughter and deep thought.

All in all, Oh Dad, Poor Dad is a film that breaks the norms, a radical and wild cinematic adventure that tickles the funny bone while simultaneously touching the heartstrings. It’s a darkly comedic treat that's entertaining, eccentric, and poignant, offering more than one kind of punch in its narrative.

In the end, two things are for certain: you might not always understand what's going on in Oh Dad, Poor Dad, and that's exactly what will make you contemplate, laugh, and appreciate the absurdity of it all. It's an unusual cinematic experience that is definitely worth a watch for experimental movie buffs and more adventurous viewers. It is absurd, surreal, playful, and indeed a rollercoaster ride of emotions and experiences.