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Prodigal Sons

Released Feb 26, 2010 1h 26m Documentary List
87% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 79% Audience Score 250+ Ratings
When filmmaker Kimberly Reed left her small Montana hometown, she was a man. Returning years later for her high school reunion, Reed is a transgendered woman. She seeks to reconnect with her estranged adopted brother, Marc McKerrow, who was permanently disabled in a car crash, and might be related to Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth. Exploring identities, rivalries and family, Reed embarks on a personal journey that begins with her hometown and leads all the way to Croatia. Read More Read Less
Prodigal Sons

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Fascinating and heartbreakingly honest, Kimberly Reed's family documentary uses its stranger-than-fiction story to speak near-universal truths about family bonds and human identity.

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Critics Reviews

View All (30) Critics Reviews
Todd McCarthy Variety A film that will fascinate inquisitive viewers on multiple levels. Sep 16, 2013 Full Review Nicolas Rapold Film Comment Magazine While Reed's own self-exposure shows insight, her presentation of her brother's suffering comes across as an unprocessed spectacle of misery that hasn't been adequately thought out. Jul 1, 2013 Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness A multilayered portrait of immense physical, emotional and psychological change. Rated: A- Sep 19, 2010 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Stirring and thought provoking, intimate and a work of quiet genius. Rated: 3.5/4.0 Sep 20, 2020 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row A shocking and moving family portrait, a bittersweet look at sibling rivalries and how they can affect a family years after the children have grown up. Rated: 3/4 Aug 5, 2019 Full Review Nora Lee Mandel Maven's Nest Director makes mea culpa a major theme, pleading that admitting her own selfish priorities as a rationalization, but it is insufficient to counter the intrusive images. Rated: 5/10 Jan 2, 2016 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (62) audience reviews
Audience Member A powerful documentary. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member While not exactly a relaxing viewing experience, this film proves once again that you can't make this stuff up. I found this family to be so loving and noble...it often moved me to tears. Be sure to watch the church service in the "bonus" section of the DVD. It was the perfect coda to the film. Highly recommended. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member La verdad esto hubiera sido bueno hace unos 15 o 20 años atrás pero hoy en día ver a un transexual documentando su pasado y mostrando lo difícil que fue cambiar de sexo ya no tiene impacto alguno, ni siquiera en 2008 cuando salió. Resulta aburrido y podría ser mejor un episodio para la serie de "Tabú" de la NatGeo con algo de edición. El fuerte pudo ser la posible relación de su hermano adoptado con Orson Wells pero queda muy en el aire y sin mayor fundamento. Historia del montón que no trae nada nuevo. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member La verdad esto hubiera sido bueno hace unos 15 o 20 años atrás pero hoy en día ver a un transexual documentando su pasado y mostrando lo difícil que fue cambiar de sexo ya no tiene impacto alguno, ni siquiera en 2008 cuando salió. Resulta aburrido y podría ser mejor un episodio para la serie de "Tabú" de la NatGeo con algo de edición. El fuerte pudo ser la posible relación de su hermano adoptado con Orson Wells pero queda muy en el aire y sin mayor fundamento. Historia del montón que no trae nada nuevo. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Strange documentary is a little unfocused. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a personal documentary that is moving and very revealing. Well filmed with a look back that really opens up the story in a realistic and loving way. The most surprising part is the love of friends and acquaintances in the small town that Kimberly was brought up in. One actually feels sorry for Marc more than the hurt of Kimberly. Nibbles: Beef Burgundy. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Prodigal Sons

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Prodigal Sons

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Movie Info

Synopsis When filmmaker Kimberly Reed left her small Montana hometown, she was a man. Returning years later for her high school reunion, Reed is a transgendered woman. She seeks to reconnect with her estranged adopted brother, Marc McKerrow, who was permanently disabled in a car crash, and might be related to Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth. Exploring identities, rivalries and family, Reed embarks on a personal journey that begins with her hometown and leads all the way to Croatia.
Director
Kimberly Reed
Distributor
First Run
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 26, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 11, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$73.2K
Runtime
1h 26m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Dolby Digital