Filling in the Blanks

As home DNA testing kits and the interest in genealogy grow in popularity, more and more of us are learning that our parents are not who we were told they are. The current estimate can be as high as 10% of the population. This documentary explores the topic in an honest and emotional way. The pain and loss caused by the discovery are explored along with the (potential) shame and angst. Loss of the biological connection via a DNA test can touch so many members of the family, each in different ways. The creator of this movie does an excellent job of communicating these complex issues. The use of original family movies is impressive. This is one of the best movies I have seen on the topic. If you have experienced this loss, or know someone who has experienced the loss of their parental connection, via learning the truth of their adoption, donor conception, or plain misattribution of their parent, this is a MUST-WATCH film.

Jon Baime does an amazing job with this documentary about his journey of self-discovery due to his father's off-hand comment leading him to have a DNA test secretly.

His ability to tell this story has you on the edge of your seat, fully engrossed. I felt like I was involved, part of the family, and I wanted to know more.

It is an interesting insight into the world of popular DNA tests and what the results might lead to. You go into it thinking you want to know more about your ancestry but end up finding out that nothing has been what it seemed and the family has had a secret you were not privy to.

I highly recommend this documentary.

If you have any interest in this type of real story, I don't think there is a better article or video on this topic that exists today than this one. They really did a phenomenal job, covering every imaginable aspect of a complicated topic as they follow the hero through the complete arc of this journey from beginning to end, with all the complications that arise from it and his personal family and the changes that society itself has undergone throughout the decades.

At the same time, it avoids much of the negativity that constantly surrounds this topic when people impose today's standards on the past while maintaining what feels like a great deal of accuracy and realism.

I give it a 10/10 because of accuracy and quality of execution on the topic.

With DNA testing so widespread, this documentary/story does a terrific job with compassion and love, to explain the old ways of encouraged secret keeping.

Although the topic is sperm donation, there are many parallels told adoption too.

There is also a psychological side (facts) that is not included in the film, the heritability of personality. Nature (DNA and genetics/ heritability) contribute approx half of one's personality and Nurture (how you were parented and many other environmental factors) contribute form our personality - how we think about (our perspective) and interact (behave) with people and ourselves in our culture and the world.

We are lucky that the film's creator was always interested in film as a child, and that is why Well done. I enjoyed watching it and learning at the same time!

With the advances in genetic testing, the list of people receiving "DNA suprises" from places like 23andMe and Ancestry keeps growing. Everyone's story is different, but the outcome remains the same: what would you do if you suddenly found out you were not genetically related to your father? Jon's experience is an interesting one and he tells it with refreshing candor and a lack of sensationalism. Some of the vintage footage is great, and there are many surprisingly intimate moments captured on camera. I won't spoil any of the revelations, but if you are curious about DNA and the intersection of science and personal experience, you will enjoy this film. Similar docs include THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS and OUR FATHER.