Die Sünden der Väter

I spent ten years living in Alabama. Consequently, I came to understand the southern mindset. Tom Sizemore did an excellent job portraying a southerner in the midst of a moral dilemma. Not only does Sizemore's character reach out to a member of the American-African race, he reaches into his memories and beliefs. Many people are still under the impression that all southerners do not befriend anyone not of their race. That is not the case. They embrace people of all races and religions...and do not idly stand by to watch them suffer needlessly. Yes, the Klan still exists, but its power is greatly diminished in this enlightened age. Mr. Sizemore's performance made the average modern southern man come to life. Kudos to Tom on an excellent performance!

Powerful and moving. The struggle between father and son, right and wrong and the definition of true and lasting friendship are the catalysts of this compelling film. Ving Rhames is phenomenal (as always). Tom Sizemore portrays a son who, as a child, witnessed the racially motivated terroristic acts of his father. He is torn by the bond that should exist between a father and son and that thin line of loyalty he feels is owed, even though he knows it is wrong. Ving Rhames portrays Sizemore's best friend. He literally steals the show with his powerful on screen presence. The subtle exchanges as these two men, one who knows what his father has done, and the other who knows he knows, are riveting and truly thought provoking. Justice, in the end, brings us some sense of closure and joy, but they are tainted by the years of silent secrets that came before.

Tom Sizemore gives a powerful performance as the son of a KKK racist, Richard Jenkins. The most difficult thing to believe in "Sins of the Father" is that Tom would actually return after many years to his abusive monster of a father. The movie depicts in flashbacks the 1963 Birmingham Alabama church bombing that killed four little girls. In the present day, Tom is at first in denial of his father's taking part in the crime, but with the tenacious F.B.I. investigation, doubts about his father's innocence begin to surface. The character development and acting by all involved is first rate, and the historical flashbacks feel correct. - MERK

Well made telefilm with strong performances from Tom Sizemore, Richard Jenkins and Brenda Bazinet. The subject matter (Birmingham Church bombing of 1963 that killed four girls) has been told before, but this movie works because Sizemore plays the grown son of Bobby Cherry, the last remaining bomber alive who was still free of justice, and the movie flashes back to when Sizemore was a small child experiencing racism first hand. In the present, haunted by the memories of the day, he decides the only thing he can do to stop the generational perpetuation of racism is to turn his father in and put him away for good. Pielmeier's writing is exemplary and Dornhelm's directing sets the table for compelling drama. A very well made film despite Ving Rhames' over the top performance.

All I can say about this movie... powerful! Tom Cherry (Tom Sizemore) is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He must decide wether or not to turn in his racist father, who bombed an Afro-American church in the 1960's that killed 4 innocent little girls, to authorities. Sizemore and Ving Rhaymes give superb performances. The FX network has mastered the first Original Movie that can actually rival those of HBO and Showtime.

You will definately be gripped by this movie!

My vote... 9/10