Dodo

"Dodo" is the exact reason why I like off beat documentaries. It is a slice of Americana that delves into the darker side of family life some of us may never see, while others may know all to well. The balance of comedy against a time of difficulties while growing up in a Pittsburgh suburb, shines a light on your average family that often struggles to cope in the wake of a father who is anything but Ward Cleaver.

Writer, director Bob Golob takes us on an hysterical and clever journey though a sometimes turbulent childhood by interviewing his siblings and taking us back home to get to know his father, the inspiration for the title.

"Dodo" is a must see for anyone who liked the reality of "American Movie" which sometimes makes you laugh, other times makes you cry and most of all, it leaves you scratching your head wondering why my family can't be that entertaining.

After viewing Bob Golub's "Dodo" at a film festival in Los Angeles I realized Bob is a real independent film maker. No stars just Bob and his family. After the screening Bob did a Q & A and said something profound. "I spent my own money and if every film maker who produces a film spent the money as if it were their money 90 percent the films getting made would come under budget. I was moved to tears and laughter. I thought my family was screwed up until I saw this film. Okay, my family is screwed up but not as funny as Bob Golub's family. I wouldn't want to be raised by Dodo (Bob's father), but I wouldn't mind having a drink with him. After viewing this Docu/comedy I took my family the next day. They laughed because we saw bits from our life and family. If this Documentary comes to TV WATCH IT and if it comes out on DVD BUY IT! I believe you will love it like I did.

Leila

This film was shown at the Three River Film Festival in Pittsburgh where I viewed it. The story explores the relationship between a son and his less-than perfect father set against the backdrop of a gritty sports-obsessed blue-collar Midwestern town. The film is both sober and funny. Like a well crafted quilt, it weaves clips from family videos and the film maker's stand-up comedy act with artful re-enactments and a series of beautifully shot interviews and monologue all of which is tied together with a great sound track. While the subject matter of family dysfunction is unsettling at times, the humor and love that the family members share is apparent. The brutal honesty with which the family interacts is both refreshing and daunting. "Dodo" is a tale of regret and redemption. Although it is poignant, it is neither sentimental nor self-conscious. A remarkable film by a talented first-time film maker.

I can only support the upper comment! I watched the film at the Independent Film Festival in New York in November 2006, and of all the movies, theater pieces,... I have experienced in the 3 months I spent in New York, this film has captured me the most...the deeply shocking stumbling of all members of a simple family stuck in a destroying mixture of alcohol, physical violence, psychological (verbal!...) violence...shown in the most authentic form of life records...sorted, arranged and commented by director Bob Golub, himself son of Dodo, the father and hence main figure of this- still- family... What remains the most is the feeling of respect for Bob Golub who has- incredible enough- kept the power to work on overcoming his past via art. ...a road normally taken by individuals for verbalizing world-weariness, rarely for working on such highly personal negative experiences.

Is this film is available on DVD yet? I saw it at a film festival and want to watch it again. I am curious about how the editor put together so many different types of film including family video cam from twenty years ago and old sports clips from the Sixties mixed with new footage that appeared to be digital The soundtrack was also very well done and fit the story. I was surprised at the Q&A when the filmmaker said that this was his first film. I thought that he did a great job.I could relate to the working class hard-nosed mentality and I felt like I knew his entire family by the end of the film. Although the filmmaker is trying to deal with the ghost of his father, there is a lot of humor Their family seemed to express love by making fun of each other-kinda twisted but makes you laugh The filmmaker had trouble telling his father that he loved him. I left feeling like I wanted to call my father to tell him that I loved him and not to remain in the typical macho male trap.