A Film by Spencer Ludwig, By David Flusfeder
Life with Dad; backgammon and hookers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Spencer Ludwig is a London-based film-maker; a perfectionist who has an unrealised ambition to make a single great film.
While on a trip to New York, he takes his ailing, 87-year-old dad for a medical check-up, then impulsively decides to whisk him to Atlantic City. What follows is a road-trip full of bickering, backgammon, cops, hookers and gambling, all seen through Spencer's eyes as the kind of movie it would be if it were a movie. Short sections are laid out as a film script. Both father and son are prickly, principled characters – there is a crackle and tension in their dialogue, rendered poignant by the elder man's stroke-induced aphasia. A tragicomic novel about middle- and old-age, and the father-son relationship.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments