Neil’s father is played by Kurtwood Smith. A self-made man, Mr Perry is
extremely strict, even given the historical context of 1959, the year in
which the film is set. Depending on the viewer’s interpretation, he can be
seen either as a manipulative and power-obsessed character who enjoys
dominating his son, or a man who, while misguided, is driven by a desire
to see his son happy, established and secure in life.
When Neil kills himself, after his father tells him he will be withdrawn
from Welton and sent to military school, Mr Perry is genuinely distraught
and cries out, ‘My son, my son!’ (s.9) while holding Neil’s body in his
arms. However, he appears to be entirely unwilling to accept even the
slightest portion of blame for Neil’s actions, and pursues punishment for
Mr Keating the very next day, implying he places greater importance on
vengeance than on mourning