Our Son

Our Son is a poignant drama that resembles the 1979 film Kramer vs Kramer, featuring two divorcing New York-based dads fighting for custody of their son. The film is soapy and middlebrow, with performances from Luke Evans and Billy Porter, and Christopher Woodley as their eight-year-old son, Owen. The script, co-written by Peter Nickowitz and director Bill Oliver, portrays current gay lifestyles, from monogamous married-with-children to older men who never wanted domesticity. The film also features some lesbian characters, including Pam, Nicky's family law attorney. The film is well-received by viewers and offers a subtly shaded group portrait of gay lifestyles. Gabriel, unsure of his feelings for Nicky, must navigate separation, divorce, and custody decisions without causing harm to Owen, a resilient child. The film explores the legal implications of Owen's conception through an egg donor and surrogate, highlighting that both Nicky and Gabriel are considered fathers in Owen's eyes. While the film may feel didactic, its generosity of spirit makes the mildly preachy moments forgivable. The characters are rounded, fallible, and likable, and despite a syrupy score, it's a pleasant and engaging watch. The film's generosity of spirit makes it a pleasant and engaging watch. "Our Son" is a story of dissatisfaction and disconnection between a couple, Nicky and Gabriel, who have been committed to their marriage for nearly a decade. Gabriel's revelation forces both parties to reassess their relationship and seek divorce. The resulting divorce proceedings escalate into a heated standoff, with the main issue being custody of Owen. Nicky, who can provide for Owen but has a demanding job, decides to stay with him, while Gabriel, who has no job, decides to stay with him. The film frames the custody battle as an opportunity for Nicky and Gabriel to be honest about their desires as fathers and gay men, addressing gendered expectations and the growing family-focused LGBTQ community. These thorny topics are reflected in the film's most affecting discussions, which are often didactic due to the characters' varying perspectives on the matter. The film's portrayal of these thorny topics is a testament to the complexity of the LGBTQ community.

I enjoyed the film. Halfway through I started thinking "where have I seen this before " ? It suddenly occurred to me that it was Kramer vs Kramer from decades ago. This film still hit every emotion. It is definitely worth watching. Billy Porter was amazing! The relationship dynamics were a little bit obvious and then stopped short of any real revelation. I would have liked to have seen a bit more interaction between "daddy" , "poppa" and the child after the separation was decided. I did enjoy the interaction with the friend group during the brunch scene. It was a pretty honest discussion between characters.

While I didnt feel much connection between Billy and Luke (purposeful?), I resonated and reverberated with the pulse of this story. With some friends going thru similar struggles recently I saw an adept struggle between to people who are faced with one of life's most challenging struggles: divorce/child care.

The movie doesn't really beat a totally compelling rhythm while we drift along with the two actors - but their journies feel real, honest, and painful.

A solid drama. I cried (not buckets, but tears).

The boy gang was a tad cliche (but what do I know I dont have a boy gang). Oh and a cameo or two from some wonderful legends.

Our son

In this heartfelt narrative, a gay couple embarks on the challenging journey of divorce, entangled in a poignant custody battle. The storyline, while seemingly uncomplicated, distinguishes itself by embracing an authentic simplicity. Although it may occasionally appear unadorned, this simplicity serves as a genuine reflection of life. While the film doesn't extensively delve into character development, the characters' motivations remain transparent.

The adept performances of Billy Porter and Luke Evans gracefully elevate the film, injecting it with an abundance of emotion and authenticity. Christopher Woodley, in the role of the titular son, delivers a performance that is both revelatory and deeply touching.

Furthermore, the cinematography, direction, and soundtrack collaborate seamlessly to enhance the inherent simplicity of the movie, contributing to its overall impact.

7/10.

Bill Oliver's OUR SON is a fine drama, telling the story of a gay couple whose marriage comes to an end, and their subsequent custody battle over the young son whom they fathered via IVF.

In a time when homosexuality is still illegal in some areas of the world, and there is still a large percentage of those in the West who oppose gay marriage and view the LBGTQ community as "other," what Oliver (and his co-writer, Peter Nickowitz) present to the audience is that gay people are simply regular folks, who go through the same day-to-day trials and tribulations as the hetero world does. If anything, OUR SON has far more in common with films like KRAMER VS. KRAMER than something like BOYS IN THE BAND. And it is that population who refuse to see the gay community as human beings just as they are who will benefit most from seeing this film.

Luke Evans is excellent in the lead, managing to paint a complex portrait of a man who is a driven professional, but who also loves his husband and son deeply, but who perhaps comes to that realization too late. Billy Porter gives an equally fine turn as the estranged spouse, who has found that fatherhood awakened something inside of him that he wasn't aware of previously. The rest of the supporting cast is excellent, with nary a false note among them.

There are no heroes or villains in this film, just regular people trying to cope with the same roadblocks that life seems to throw in our path randomly. Highly recommended.