User reviews

I cried like a baby several times watching this documentary, it's heartbreaking just to watch it.

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.

I felt this real life documentary was frustrating to watch at times. The film maker is careful enough to only show glimpses of the story behind the scenes and paints his own narrative. A decent story in any case, not scripted but obviously massaged.

Some elements of the film that bother me. The military is always shown in a positive light, despite the huge emotional and physical toll on this family. The family depression/stress/ptsd is never dealt with or addressed despite being obviously causing issues. The father is rarely shown in any teaching moment.

This becomes almost a recruitment advertisement, and it seems logical that if the real story were told Eisch would risk losing his benefits and retirement.

You will never see a more compelling documentary in your life. This family has seen the best and worst. You will root for them and cry with them. At the end you will hope they get the peace and happiness they deserve.

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.

The years of work making this movie have paid off handsomely & tragically. If you were wrecked by the excellent documentary "Gleason" & fascinated by the excellent Oscar winning "The Hurt Locker" then you must watch this film. This intimate look at a military family is complex & deeply moving. It'll have your heart & your spinning.

"Father Soldier Son" is an extraordinary documentary. Deeply moving, tragic and charged with emotion. A testament to the ability of some human beings to deal with and to overcome the most terrible loss.

I looked up how much a Platoon Sergeant like Brian Eisch is paid now in the US Army and found that it's only about $US36,000 a year. Deployment to operations in such as Afghanistan would probably attract further pay in the form of allowances but what an extraordinary job soldiers like Sergeant Eisch perform for their country for so little financial reward.

I was moved by this documentary so much. Highly recommended.

JMV

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 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

First..for this who sit in judgement... stop.. walk in Mr. Eisch's shoes first. Have you sacrificed? Were you a single father raising two boys? Right. Show some respect. So regarding the documentary...an outstanding real life picture. One that you will look at and see a bit of yourself in. Caution..it will pull you in..not let go..for several days after.

What ever you do you need to be tough.

Live up to your fathers expectations or be a loser.

Loose a kid, just take another one and send him also to war.

The boy is in the Army but he does not know why war started or is dragging on, He just wants to go fighting for his country.

This is not happiness, this is just sad. US kids are som brainwashed that they cannot think for themselves anymore.

That is probably what the US of Amerika wants.

Just sad and terribly wrong.

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.

The person that gave this movie 1/10 stars is either a complete sociopath, or didn't watch the movie at all. If you don't respect or feel gratitude for the men and women that risk their lives to protect us here at home (no matter the reason they "chose" to do so), then you should probably move to another country. Permanently. I'll bet the bravest thing you've ever done is sit behind your computer screen and spew negativity on all that is good in the world.

ANYWAYS, I'm sorry, but I saw that review before I watched the movie, and after watching I could not believe someone could be so soulless. Besides the war aspect of this soldier's life, we get a gut-wrenching look into this soldier's home life post-deployment...without giving anything away, just know that I cried my eyes out. I yelled at the screen. I'm still shook. This is a film that every American should see. Period.

Did not expect this. It is going to make you cry. Really worth to watch

The military provides young Americans several opportunities. The United States is by far the freest country in the planet. There are some casualties, and some problems that can be fixed. But the military should be seem as part of the solution and not as part of the problem.

This is one of the best documentary I have seen. A really sad one. Filmed over several years, we get to see how the father and his sons change throughout these years after the father gets injured in Afghanistan.

A the beginning of the film the father tells a story of one of his sons friends, that his dad changed after being deployed to Iraq and that he doesn't want to become that father.

And sadly, he becomes exactly that father.

This is a very moving and sad documentary, and very impressive that they managed to film it over several years. To see all their pain, happiness, love throughout all the years.

That this documentary haven't gotten more praise or more awards is beyond me.

I can highly recommend this one.