Père et soldat

I am not a huge lover of documentary films. but this is just GREAT!!! incredibly sad at times. but, life isn't always a bouquet of roses!! this would have been filmed over a several-year period of time. i loved this. watch it. have about four tissues close by.

This isn't a documentary that is supposed to make you feel sorry for the man. He doesn't want people to feel sorry for him either. He even says it at one point. This story shows the ups and downs of life from the perspective of a family that went through really tough times. The "reviewer" who called SFC Eisch a snowflake obviously missed the point. He also probably never served or went through anything remotely close to what this family went through. I bet he wouldn't say it to his face! I did 8 years in the Army and if anyone ever called me a snowflake, that'll be the last thing they say to me.

I just wish more people had the integrity and power to parent like SFC Eisch does. He raised some great kids and to do it with their mother out of the picture, while on active duty is a real accomplishment. Mary, the step-mom also needs a pat on the back! These are people i wish i could call friends.

Who serves in the US armed forces? The disenfranchised and the underprivileged. This terrifying look at a military family shows the darkness that is a result of the military Industrial Complex that creates the need for their service.

The willful ignorance of the young man who knows not why he fights but desires to prove to his father that he has what it takes to "go to war" took my breath away.

GRADE: B+

THIS FILM IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

IN BRIEF: A powerful look at an All-American family and the tragedy that befalls them.

JIM'S REVIEW: Father Soldier Son is a vivid portrait of one American family and the impact that war casts upon them. Documentarians Catrin Einhorn and Leslye Davis followed the lives of Brian Eisch, an Army sergeant deployed in Afghanistan and his two sons, Isaac, age 12, and Joey, age 7. The film spans nearly a decade and covers their emotional and physical toil unflinchingly. It is a moving testament to the courage and love of a soldier and father for his children and the way we grow together and apart.

The film chronicles the mental anguish and physical recuperation that becomes a common occurrence for Brian once he is ambushed and seriously injured in the war. His children's rose-colored view of military life is permanently altered. One son still idealizes the Army life while the other readily avoids its allure as they adapt to their new life with father. There are some serious gaps in the storytelling as years pass and some major events are not seen on film. Yet, the film captures the everyday existence of one family starting over with such a measured eloquence. Nathan Halpern's music score adds layers to the heartbreak. The film is a honest exposé of hurt and healing, a soldier story that is uniformly balanced and observant.

Seeing the children grow into teenagers and speaking openly of their new-found fears about their shattered divorced dad is quite moving. Watching the father come to terms with his own disability and its limitations while losing his self-pride at being "a burden" to his country and family is emotionally gut-wrenching. We also witness Brian's eventual remarriage and the addition of a stepbrother into the family unit, but this character is completely overlooked as a viable family member In the documentary which seems an odd decision from the filmmakers to sidestep his presence. Still, there are unexpected moments of tragedy that haunt both the Eisch clan and moviegoers, bringing added depth and sadness to this family drama.

The filmmakers had direct access to the family and their daily activities (physical therapy sessions, VA visits, school wrestling matches, house chores, proms, graduations, births, etc.) and this approach paints a more complete picture of a family coping with adversity and dysfunction. Subtle images of military paraphernalia strewed throughout the house, the constant playing of violent video games as entertainment, an American flag draped at half mast...these and other objects effectively hint at the patriotic mindset of this rural Army family. Their love of duty and country becomes a lasting presence, an undeniable force that envelopes parent and child throughout the years.

Father, Soldier, Son is a fascinating look at the male psyche, the glorification of the military, and the underlying bond between father and son. Lessons are taught and learned. As the saying goes, the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children. It seems the Eisch's story is a prime example of history repeating itself and reinforcing that adage. This powerful documentary presents the evidence and becomes a lingering glimpse into one part of Americana desperately wanting to "be all it can be", even if everything is stacked against our blue collar families overcoming the odds to merely survive. The circle of life goes on...

NOTE: While I completely understand Brian's anger issues due to his injuries and do not agree with his "toughlove" stance in raising his sons, the filmmakers sensitively capture his anguish and frustration that continually hangs over his family. This shroud of gloom permeates his home and affects the family within it. A follow-up documentary on the Eisch clan in another decade would be enthralling.

This is my first review on IMDb and I was so deeply moved. I felt I need to let people know that they shouldn't pass this doc. I would rate it higher if I could. The real life struggle of a military man and his family. It touched my soul in ways no other documentary could. Pls watch. Don't let bad reviews stop you watching