father soldier son
Directors: Catrin Einhorn, Leslye Davis
Cast: Brian Eisch, Isaac Eisch, Joseph Eisch, Maria Eisch, Jordan Delano, Jaxon Eisch
There have been Indian movies that talked about the bravery of our army or the police. We have seen families gather after the man of the house is killed in action, and in what is seen as pure patriotism, a son is later sent to join the troops. A Netflix documentary, Father Soldier Son, at the helm of Catrin Einorn and Leslye Davis — and produced with the help of the DailyExpertNews — follows an American family for nearly a decade, documenting its tragedies and happier times. The story is excellent in a comfortable 99 minutes running time.
American soldier, a loving father of two boys, Brian Eisch has to serve in treacherous Afghanistan. He is divorced and his boys have to live with their uncle and see their father once every six months when he goes home on leave. It’s not easy for the boys, both under 12, with a mother who is gone and a father who serves the United States military in a faraway land. But Brian is too much of a patriot who feels he should fight for his country. But after an injury, he has to leave the army. With his leg amputated, he knows he can never go back to the battlefield.
He is disillusioned and finds it difficult to get over his handicap. It’s not so much about losing a leg as it is about trying to tame his patriotic instincts. And he is in a hurry to see his sons grow up so they can uphold the family tradition of serving the country. While the youngest son likes the idea, the oldest isn’t too enthusiastic. He wants to go to university. But Brian and his new girlfriend try to convince the son that life in the military is wonderfully rewarding.
A terrible tragedy takes place that forces the family to reconsider. But only for a while.
The documentary sometimes strays, but fortunately keeps far from moralizing. The directors – who are journalists – bring us a story that is usually gripping. There is no voiceover, and even the interviews (a real boredom in most documentaries) are kept to a minimum. They are almost fragments that seamlessly continue the story.
In the end, the eldest son enlists in the army anyway, but wonders why he and his compatriots should go to war in Afghanistan. What is the idea behind this conflict? A very relevant question indeed! But the answer doesn’t come. He has been asked to put on the uniform, and he will. A very disturbing moment in Father Soldier Son. Indeed so.
Rating: 4/5
(Gautaman Bhaskaran is an author, commentator and film critic)
