Watch Father Soldier Son

Father Soldier Son is a heart-wrenching documentary movie that follows the lives of a military family over ten years. The film, directed by Lesley Davis and Catrin Einhorn, tells the story of Brian Eisch, a single father of two sons, Isaac and Joey. Brian is a career soldier who has served in the U.S. Army for over a decade. The movie begins in 2010 when Brian is deployed to Afghanistan as a platoon sergeant. He leaves behind his two boys and his dad, who has agreed to take care of them in his absence. As he heads to war, the movie documents the emotional goodbye between Brian and his sons. The film then follows Brian's deployment in Afghanistan with his battalion, as he sets up a new outpost in a hostile area.

Throughout the movie, the story of Brian's deployment is interwoven with the lives of his sons, who grow up without a dad for most of their childhood. The movie shows how Isaac, the elder son, takes on a fatherly role for his younger brother, Joey, as they cope with their dad's long absence. The movie also captures the father-son bond between Brian and his boys, as they stay in touch through video calls, letters, and occasional visits.

As the movie progresses, Brian suffers a traumatic injury in a Taliban attack, which forces him to come back home and retire from the Army. The injury changes the trajectory of his life, as he struggles to adapt to civilian life and cope with the physical and mental scars of war. The movie shows how Brian's injury affects his relationship with his sons, and how his PTSD makes it hard for him to connect with them.

Father Soldier Son is a powerful tale of sacrifice, resilience, and family bonds. It illustrates the immense personal cost of war, not just for soldiers who serve but also for their families. The movie offers a rare glimpse into the realities of military life and the challenges that soldiers and their families face in contemporary conflicts. It also showcases the unique role that fathers and sons play in each other's lives and how a father's absence can affect his children's development.

The documentary is expertly crafted, using a blend of verité-style footage, interviews, and archival material. The movie gives a nuanced and compassionate portrayal of the Eisch family without glorifying or demonizing their choices. The directors take a non-judgmental approach to the story, letting the family members speak for themselves and allowing the audience to draw their conclusions.

The movie's themes of sacrifice and resilience are underscored by the stunning cinematography and the captivating soundtrack. The movie captures the stark beauty of the Afghan landscape and the bustling energy of New York City, where the Eisch family lives. The music, composed by Nathan Halpern and Chris Ruggiero, sets the mood perfectly, combining haunting melodies with rousing anthems.

Through the lens of the Eisch family's story, Father Soldier Son speaks to larger issues of war, trauma, and healing. It shows how the moral ambiguities of war can leave lasting scars on soldiers and their families, and how the road to recovery is often long and uncertain. However, the movie also demonstrates how the love and resilience of family members can be a source of strength in times of crisis.

Overall, Father Soldier Son is a deeply moving and poignant documentary that is sure to resonate with viewers of all backgrounds. The movie is an ode to the courage and sacrifice of soldiers, and a tribute to the unbreakable bonds of family. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the human toll of war and the resiliency of the human spirit.

Father Soldier Son is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 74.