Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hard-hitting docu about U.S. soldier and his family.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Where to Watch
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Father Soldier Son
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In FATHER SOLDIER SON, newspaper journalists and filmmakers Catrin Einhorn and Leslye Davis introduce Brian Eisch, a single parent stationed in Afghanistan. It's 2010. Brian -- athletic, enthusiastic, and independent -- is home in Wisconsin for a 2-week furlough. The loving dad spends quality time with his two sons, Isaac (12) and Joey (7). Returning to his unit, Brian is severely injured and comes home for good. With Isaac and Joey by his side, Brian begins a long, painful recovery.
Only a few years later, a dire prognosis of what might happen does happen -- his leg must be amputated. In the interim years, despite his difficulties, Brian has met Maria, a loving single mom of 3 kids, only one of whom joins her to live with Brian and the boys. As the newly-formed family struggles to adjust and move forward, relationships are created and those relationships change. Then, in 2015, in the midst of their happiest times, the unthinkable happens, and the Eisch family must endure and survive another shattering tragedy.
Is It Any Good?
Brian Eisch's heart-wrenching story is one of those momentous events for which documentary filmmakers may wait a lifetime. Beautifully photographed, sensitively put together, and astonishingly frank, filmmakers Einhorn and Davis appear to have elicited unconditional trust from all of the movie's participants. Father Soldier Son is remarkable, occasionally joyful, more often tragic, and very personal. It's a film filled with insights about father-son relationships, the fragility of families, as well as the nature of military service and its impact on multiple generations of Americans who would give their lives for their country.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the intentions of documentary films: to inform, entertain, persuade, or inspire. Which category(ies) best describe Father Soldier Son? Why? What was your personal take-away from the movie?
Though he made mistakes along the way, what valuable character strengths (i.e., perseverance, courage) does Brian Eisch rely upon to survive? Pick one of those traits and show why it was important.
The filmmakers followed the Eisches for almost 10 years to tell their story. Think about the challenges of editing such a vast amount of footage. Did you feel that the movie was a complete whole, even though some years and events were not shown? Why or why not?
Considering how smart and insightful Isaac was as a boy of 12, did you agree with his later decisions? What events were shown to influence those decisions? Can you point to events in your life that have altered your own path?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 17, 2020
- Directors : Catrin Einhorn , Leslye Davis
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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