Ep 3. Big Enough

Big Enough, the third episode of the eighteenth season of POV, is a stunning piece of documentary filmmaking that offers a profound and moving look at the complex relationship between fathers and sons. Directed by Jan Krawitz and Thomas Ott, this powerful and deeply personal film follows the journey of 30-year-old Brandon Burke, a man who is struggling to come to terms with the legacy of his father, a larger-than-life figure who left a lasting impact on his family and the world around him.

Narrated by Burke himself, Big Enough is a raw and emotional exploration of the tangled web of emotions that surrounds his father, beginning with his childhood memories of the man who was both his hero and his nemesis. As he looks back on those early years, Burke recalls the thrill of playing catch with his dad, the sense of awe he felt watching him take on tough challenges with ease, and the pride he felt when his father’s accomplishments were celebrated by others. But he also remembers the fear, anger, and sadness that were mixed in with those positive experiences, the times when his father’s relentless pursuit of perfection left him feeling inadequate and neglected.

As Burke moves into adulthood, those feelings of ambivalence become even more complex. His father’s achievements continue to inspire him, but they also cast a long shadow over his own life, making him feel like he can never measure up. And when his father is diagnosed with a terminal illness, those conflicting emotions come to a head, as Burke struggles to come to terms with the fact that his role model is not invincible after all.

Throughout the film, Krawitz and Ott use a wide variety of visual and narrative techniques to bring Burke’s story to life, including a mix of archival footage, contemporary interviews, and immersive scenes that capture the beauty and majesty of the natural world. They also employ a variety of thematic motifs and visual metaphors, such as the recurring images of Burke standing atop mountains, looking down at the world below, or the repeated shots of his father’s hunting rifle, which stands as a powerful symbol of his strength and dominance.

At the heart of the film, however, is Burke’s voice, which is honest, vulnerable, and deeply affecting. As he talks about his father’s legacy, he speaks not only for himself, but for anyone who has ever struggled to understand the complicated emotions that come with loving and being loved by a larger-than-life figure. And as the film progresses, his journey becomes not just a personal one, but a universal one, as viewers are challenged to question their own assumptions and experiences around what it means to be a father, a son, and a member of a family.

In the end, Big Enough is a masterfully-crafted film that manages to be both heartwarming and heart-wrenching in equal measure. It is a tribute to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit, and a testament to the deep and enduring bonds that tie families together, even in the face of the most daunting challenges. Whether you are a parent or a child, a lover of the great outdoors or a lover of great art, this is a film that will leave you moved, inspired, and forever changed. So sit back, relax, and let yourself be swept away by the breathtaking beauty and emotional power of Big Enough, a true masterpiece of modern cinema.