Father(s)

People love a story in which they can I identify with one or more of the characters. I don't want to identify with Steve in this short, but I do. I'm hurried; I'm impatient; I'm easily annoyed; I'm short with those I claim to love. And for what? My own comfort, satisfaction, and ease. That's why the message of this movie is so powerful. We see the ridiculous attitude of the main character in the midst of a world falling apart. Thankfully, there is a chance for Steve to find redemption and to make changes before it's too late. Thankfully, we have that same chance.

The simple purity of the cinematography so captures the world in which we live, that we may as well be taking a glimpse into our own lives. The music swells with the emotion that we feel in our hearts and poignantly calls us to a place where we face our greatest fears, our biggest regrets, and our deepest blessings.

Well written and acted script...excellent direction...beautiful message.

Really enjoyed this fine film. Well acted and shot, the film's moments of humor served to lighten what would have otherwise been a rather heavy viewing experience. Uplifting and thoughtful, it reminds the viewer of the struggles of fatherhood and husband(hood?) but also of the moments of joy that can be found therein.

Quentin McCuiston gives a fine performance as the lead actor and one of the film's two fathers. The emotions that his character experiences are palpable and the humor that he injects into the film are welcome and genuinely funny (I especially enjoyed the two scenes involving him exiting his vehicle to meet random passersby). D. Erik Parks seems to be truly finding his groove with this latest and very much deserves the praise that his film has garnered so far (Colony Film Festival Short Film Winner 2011).

Father(s) is that rare sort of film which can make you laugh one minute and find yourself wiping away a tear the next. The pull it creates on your emotions is what sticks with you after the film is over. You may find yourself relating more to one character than the other but by the end, you feel for both of them. Whether you see it coming or not, the ending does leave you with a much different feeling than from the beginning. Starting off with a somewhat quirky beginning with a few cheap laughs, the film evolves into something else entirely. Director D. Erik Parks is still just getting his feet wet but I am highly interested in seeing what he comes up with next!

This film features great video work for an independent, low budget (no budget?), short. The story, though narrowly directed in its purpose, is not preachy. It takes on the very personal matter of selfishness in one of its less obvious forms - self pity. The story demonstrates a lesson we all know - be thankful for what you have - but rarely abide by. Father(s) reminds us why we should be thankful.

My one criticism of the film is that the character development seems a bit hurried. I would prefer that it be done in subtler ways (so that I don't really notice it as it happens).

Overall, this is a good film and a worthy watch. I would recommend it to anyone, but I would imagine that parents especially will appreciate it.