Filling in the Blanks

I am surprised I am the first one rating this very well done documentary. This movie is a must see to any one who has done DNA testing and found surprises once the results comes back. While this documentary focus exclusively about being conceived through a sperm donor, the emotional road each person travels once he/she finds out the truth, is not much different than finding out one is adopted, or that one of your parents had an affair. I do believe that for all those people that are experiencing DNA surprises, this documentary will help you understand, forgive, reconcile.

At time Jon Baime sense of humor reminded me of Seinfeld. He keeps the documentary light and smoothly paced. I loved the cake message, the ending in the wall, and the gratitude shown. I find it refreshing that someone had the courage and goodwill to share his story. Kudos to the Blaine brothers for helping Jon making this documentary.

I just want to say this documentary is not only Well-Conceived, but also Well-Delivered..... I know, I know, but puns are fun though!

The honest truth is I enjoyed this so much. And it is very interesting sociologically. This show plays very similarly in tone and speed of discovery as another show that I enjoy, "Finding Your Roots" on PBS. Of course the people discovering their genetic family tree are famous people.

So I think it stands as a compliment to Filling in the Blanks" (which if you think about it is a really good pun as well!) -that it is just as well written, directed, played and produced as a PBS broadcast show. In my honest opinion that is. I really just believe the way these ladies and gentlemen handled these secrets is tremendous. Not only the children but the parents as well. Also, without spoiling it, the ending is a BRILLIANT wrap to the whole tale.

As "Filling In the Blanks" (2023 release; 95 min), we are introduced to Jon Baime, 54 yo, as he is getting ready to take a DNA test. We then go back in time as we get archival footage from the 1960s of Jon and his family (mom and dad, and 2 older brothers) growing up in the New Jersey suburbs. Turns out that dad is quite moody... At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this movie is the labor of love by Jon Baime, as narrator, writer, producer and director of this (and, oh yea, he stars as well). Baime makes an unexpected discovery of a deeply held family secret, and once he finds out, the question is what he does with that information. I won't divulge anything more. The documentary could've gone in several ways but in the end, Baime, a very likable "Joe Sixpack" kinda guy, turns this into an uplifting story about unexpected family secrets. As such, the movie flies by in non time.

"Filling In the Blanks" recently started streaming on Amazon Prime, where I caught it a few days ago. If you are in the mood for an uplifting documentary, I'd readily suggest you check it out and draw your own conclusion.

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.

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!