The Measure of a Man

This is a VERY family friendly movie full of the kind of realism that is hard to make up. With flashbacks for most of the story, we are briefly introduced to characters who grew up poor during America's post-depression who marry and have a large family full of love, discipline and values that are rarely seen in movies today. Though most of the flashback falls somewhere in the late 1950's or 1960's, the daughter who narrates shows what her family life was like living in suburban Bakersfield, California. There are a few brief mentions of Christianity, but the way the family lived and breathed, their faith was evident. With this said, I didn't feel like this was a "Christian" movie, but a family movie because it was wholesome, real and came away feeling good!

I understand Ms. Waite felt compelled to write about her memories of her father. However,I must say this was one of the most unrealistic and absurdly stupid movies I have ever watched. I can only say Mr. Bailey was an opportunist, a sexist, guilty of a misdemeanor,and possibly felony 1. He's a cotton farmer who returns from work every day as if he just walked out of REI catalog in his spotless truck. He dismisses his wife's request for more help, takes advantage of a car salesman, surrounds himself with nothing but white people (the only workers you ever see in the field, for a hot flash, is his family minus him)no migrants,no people of color. Do not waste you time-nothing to do with integrity and honesty.

I watched this movie on pureflix. It was just as expected. Yes it's a little cheesy but that's what I expected! People are judging it about the way the husband acted toward his wife and his children. And that there were no people of color. This was what it was like during that time and also in California during that time! We can't go back and change history to fit everybody's opinions, to not offend. Life was what it was then. This is this women's story to tell about her life. Why should she change it to fit into today's standards! If she did it wouldn't be real! And yes a lot of these family\Christian flicks are cheesy, but you expect that!

The trailer for The Measure of a Man looks great, I immediately wanted to see the film. Now I wish I had just stuck to the trailer. The movie is very disjointed, especially at the beginning jumping from present day to 1920's era to 1950's and back to 1920's. Basically the movie is the story of a father and his nine kids. A lot of scenes are just the father and various family members singing random songs that have nothing to do with the plot. The father is a bit sexist, forcing his daughters to do the household work while the boys enjoy playing most of the film. Granted the boys do mow the lawn and take out the trash, but that doesn't take nearly as long as the girl's chores. His wife even gets frustrated with him about the lack of boys help, but he refuses to listen to her. The acting is sub-par at the best. And in one scene they try to pass off a 40 year old women as a 16 year old girl. I'm not sure why they didn't get someone younger to play this part. It was so awkward watching a 40 year old play a teenager, jumping up and down for joy, going to the prom. The ending instead of being rather sad had me laughing aloud, you'll understand if you chose to waste your time watching the film and make it to the credits.

This isn't one of those cookie cutter sophisticated, action packed, violent tales found on the super screen these days. This film stands alone on the merit of the story. It's a reminiscent journey of a happy, mature and loving father.

By no means is it cheesy or low budget- it is a well made film beginning with the casting, art and cinema direction and of course post production. It's not a fast moving story, rather a happy stroll down memory lane and to my delight was an hour and a half long, which made the entertainment even better.

I was sorry when the movie ended and left wanting to see the sequel.