Favorite Son

This movie was a big surprise, in that it carried such emotional power and talent, and I had never even heard of it before! It takes the familiar tale of the Prodigal Son and fleshes it out into a modern, tragic, sometimes-funny story. This is no ordinary indie picture. I mean, the actors are incredible (who is this kid Brad Hunt and where has he been??), the movie looks great and (do I really dare say this?) it actually had me crying at the end. I love independent films and I've seen a lot, and Favorite Son, for me, is a step above most. We need more like it.

I personally enjoyed the down home quality of the film. I think that for such a low budget and relatively unknown actors, this film really shined. I was pleasantly surprised after watching the film, especially with the negative comments from people here. The Prodigal son aspect really appealed to me and I thought that they did not overplay the situation, but instead it came off as a nice sub-plot. The relationship between the siblings was nicely played. The acting was enjoyable, and it was fun to see Louis Herthum of Murder She Wrote Fame acting in this film. Overall a good movie worth renting.

How I watched this cheesefest, I'll never know, but I am a movie reviewer and as horrid as this "film" is I have a job to do. How could Louis Herthum even think about walking off the set of "Murder She Wrote", and ruin his career with this silly piece of garbage. Heck, he could have even starred in "Mangler 2" and done more for his acting career. I don't know if his performance is just horrible or if the director, Steven Esteb, had some dark secrets on him and forced him to follow direction under threat of blackmail. Has the screenwriter ever read a book on screenwriting? It lacks basic elements of structure - like a plot. Brad Hunt plays an actor who returns home to Louisiana to be harassed by his older brother played by Herthum over a silly gun their father left when he died. Brad Hunt does somewhat of a good acting job considering the material, but Herthum just moans, groans and is so bitchy through the whole film. Is Herthum's character, Lance Beauchamp, supposed to be sympathetic? I feel sympathy for anyone who has to watch him. I would suggest that he take a correspondence course on acting if possible. I would advise no one to get near this sorry pile of vomit. Overall, it's the only movie I've ever got sick to my stomach from watching. It should never be viewed by human eyes again.

I'm from Baton Rouge and saw this film a few years ago. I remember being so proud that local guys made it and did such a good job. Its not perfect, but it looks really professional and the acting is totally believable. I think the budget was like $500,000, but it looks like a regular movie made in Hollywood. Its better than most of them too. I you get a chance to see it, you should.

The relationship between Lance (Brad Hunt) and Lucas (Louis Herthum) reminded me of the dynamics in my own family. Hunt is amazing as he portrays the heroine addicted younger brother of Herthum. The conflict between the brothers is very real and in the end heartwarming and moving. I think this is a movie for the whole family to see. This is a prodigal son story well told! If you can't find it at your local Blockbuster ask them to get it. If more youth groups, boys and girls clubs or families sat down to watch this one together they might find a way to help kids on drugs and create a better understand of one another. This is one worth watching.