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Father Soldier Son

Play trailer 2:30 Poster for Father Soldier Son R 2020 1h 39m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Wounded in Afghanistan, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Eisch and his sons set off on a journey of love, loss and redemption.
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Father Soldier Son

Father Soldier Son

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Critics Consensus

Taking the long view in its look at a military family's emotional journey allows Father Soldier Son to offer a uniquely moving perspective on the effects of war.

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Critics Reviews

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Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) In its outcomes and politics, this film is almost begging to be oversimplified, but it's well worth staying on the alert for the ironies, the complexities and the tacit questions it finds a host of ways to express. Rated: 4/5 Aug 10, 2020 Full Review Alissa Wilkinson Vox It's an observational documentary that doesn't push any one perspective too heavily; it's possible to watch it as a straightforward tribute to American soldiers and their families. But there often seems to be something darker lurking beneath the film. Aug 4, 2020 Full Review Robert Levin Newsday Captures something essential about how our families shape us and help us make sense of the inexplicable. Rated: 4/4 Jul 23, 2020 Full Review M.N. Miller Ready Steady Cut The themes in Father Soldier Son are under the radar, ever-lasting, and have devastating effects that shape generations — it’s one of the year’s very best documentary films. Rated: 4.5/5 Sep 1, 2022 Full Review Alex Bentley CultureMap The fact that someone like Brian Eisch has sacrificed so much in the name of an ideal is humbling. Father Soldier Son is a compelling portrait of what that sacrifice looks like, and the impact it has on those closest to the person who gave so much. Feb 5, 2021 Full Review Alexandra James Film Inquiry Regardless of your thoughts about the Army, Father Soldier Son offers you the opportunity to see why people join the Army rather than padding the film with patriotism or criticism. Aug 10, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lisa H Very emotional documentary...Brian is a good man and loving father...So sad for Isaac who didnt really want to join the army ...just wanted to please his father .. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Moving at times and a good capsulization of the multi-generational military "culture" that breeds and perpetuates the personnas of the father and the son. The screenplay sums up that narrative extremely well. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Brian Eisch is a single parent who is deployed to Afghanistan. His sons, approximately 10 and 12 at the beginning of the film, love and admire him as a hero who is serving their country. The film explores what happens to the family over the next 10 years after Brian is permanently disabled as a result of a war injury. I liked the film mostly for the way it shows how the "tough man" aspect of masculinity is transmitted through the family culture. The film could have explored more deeply the impact that the father's injury had on the sons as they were coming of age. There is an underlying sadness throughout the film that provides stunning commentary on how families – in this case, fathers and sons - navigate various crises of manhood and identity in the military context. Thumbs up for a film that doesn't explore its topic as deeply as it could (and should) have, but it still provides an engaging and provocative viewing experience. It seems a bit of a cross between Boyhood and Coming Home. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Eye-opening, gut-wrenching, a must-watch! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member This Netflix documentary was pretty good. The crew did a terrific job of bringing this story to life. The plot is very dramatic and depressing. It gives a deep insight of what this family was going through during very difficult times in their lives. Even though, they were having issues at home, they still managed to move on and become a family again. If you're a Netflix member, you should check out this documentary. You'll enjoy it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Whether or not you supported the war in Afghanistan, the key point of this very moving story is a Father's love for his two sons and a desire to overcome physical and psychological obstacles upon his return to civilian life. A heartfelt story of love and sacrifice. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Wounded in Afghanistan, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Eisch and his sons set off on a journey of love, loss and redemption.
Director
Catrin Einhorn, Leslye Davis
Producer
Leslye Davis, Catrin Einhorn, Nancy Gauss, Kathleen Lingo
Production Co
Netflix
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 18, 2020
Runtime
1h 39m
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