As a conservative Christian, I'll admit I was mildly uneasy walking into the movie theater about how the film maker would handle the subject matter. However, I needn't have worried--he documents both viewpoints very fairly. The movie challenges nobody to change their point of view--but it challenges everybody to understand each other a little better.
Family Fundamentals
2002
Action / Documentary
Family Fundamentals
2002
Action / Documentary
Plot summary
With a rare gift for unflinching impartiality, director Arthur Dong delves into the lives and attitudes of fundamentalist families who actively oppose homosexuality, despite having gay offspring themselves.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
April 03, 2022 at 08:44 PM
Director
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
well-balanced, excellent film making
damage done all right
Wouldn't it be great if Kathleen Bremner read the book "Prayers for Bobby: A Mother's Coming to Terms With the Suicide of Her Gay Son" -- Leroy Aarons. Thank you Brian, Brett and Susan for not lying about who you are anymore and thank you Arthur for bringing their stories to us.
not half bad
This is an interesting idea which sadly drifts from its central notion: unpacking the beliefs of fundamentalist Christians intolerant of their children's homosexuality. Three families are examined, with varying degrees of success due to a lack of cooperation by two of them. Former Congressman Bob Dornan's feelings are a matter of public record, luckily, which rescues the segments with his former aide, who was like a son to him. The Mormon family either abandons the project at its outset, or cravenly manipulated their son and the filmmaker in order to make their point. This is a real tragedy as they seem to be the most venomous critics of homosexuality. The pacing and technical aspects are pretty shaky, and too much is given to exploring the hurt feelings of the children. Isn't their hurt rather obvious? The treatment they receive would elicit sympathy from anyone (aside from those likely to inflict these wounds in the first place). More time should have been given to fleshing out the objections of fundamentalists (some of which is done nicely in the extra features on the DVD). More time should have been given to refuting the misstatements of fact that they make in their condemnations. In short, compelling characters provide some heartbreaking drama as they find themselves in families where neither love nor hate are reciprocated. Could have been really illuminating, but strays into the comfort of coming-out war stories.