My Son (I) (2013) User Reviews

A Faith Based Film of a Different Family

[angiequidim · 8/10 · 3 June 2014]

My Son is a film that is part of a growing number of faith based movies that have begun to flood the market. Some of these films are very strong in their messages yet lack the quality of a cinematic masterpiece. Jarod O'Flaherty's film comes pretty close and definitely is worth taking a look at despite it's "R" rating from the MPAA.

My Son is a story about a family that was torn apart when a court ordered their son to be taken away. Devastated by the decision, Cadon, the boy's father, takes drastic measures to reunite the family that he cherished dearly.

As part of the growing movement of Christian films, My Son stands out due to it's realistic feel and grittiness that brings modern interpretations to life. Although it still contains many teachings of the Christian faith, it does not paint them in a pretty picture that is easily spoon-fed to audiences. You will experience the hurtful emotions, drug use, and violence that encapsulates this family and their world. It is not "perfect" as most films seem to be and the light at the end of the tunnel is not so easily obtained. The cinematography is raw; although filmed with a skilled hand, there are places where certain effects like the shaky hand camera, work for this film. The acting is above average for films of this genre; Restin Burke reminds me of a young Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers). There is a considerable amount of action in this film and nothing is left to chance. Even the antagonist played by Micheal Willbanks added to the chemistry of this not so ordinary film.

One of the great things about this film is that it tries to look like a mainstream action film and you would believe that this would be shown in indie theaters. Also the R rating is not deserved compared to such films as Passion of the Christ, My Son does not achieve such horrific violence or shock value. My Son is a movie worth watching from this independent production company.

Fairly good independent Christian film, but not typical at all.

[koletrane · 8/10 · 16 October 2013]

As a fellow Christian filmmaker, I felt compelled to watch this film made by Retta Baptist Church in Burleson, Texas (near Fort Worth). I also felt quite intrigued by the fact that the film got an R rating from the MPAA. Many critics would pose the question, "Can a film legitimately be called "Christian" and get an R rating?" Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" was rated R, so I suppose so. However, was it merely the "Christian" message, as some might be inclined to claim, or something else that warranted the notorious rating? Well, after viewing the film, it was clearly something else entirely and with the rash of gun violence that has plagued this country in recent years, the rating was obviously warranted. With that being said, "My Son" is not only a really decent film (as far as independent films go), but it is extremely timely and important, too and is not your typical Christian film by any stretch of the imagination, which is both refreshing and alarming at the same time. The main (mostly volunteer and amateur) actors did their jobs very well and were convincing, especially the primary antagonist, Bo (played by Michael Willbanks). After watching the film, though, it became quite apparent that this is an inaugural effort on behalf of the filmmakers, as they (seemingly) packed everything they shot into it. They'll eventually learn the finer art of editing, I'm sure. Another thing that I was concerned about, as a Christian, is the stereotypical and negative portrayal of all but two or three of the church members and this aspect wasn't really addressed at all, which is a rather sad commentary. Overall the film is good, but could use some fine tuning in the editing department as well as the overall story, as it essentially became an extended prologue where the real plot didn't come into play until the very end of the film.

If you pay attention, the GOOD people aren't really so good !

[netuserms · 7/10 · 25 February 2019]

For a Faith based film, I think it misses on so many levels. To start when the boys were little, they were brought to church and because they weren't the best behaved thrown out. If you were one of those boys you'd get the impression you aren't good enough to be in GOD's House. Next, the loving Christian family is clearly not run by the Father. Mom runs that household and makes the decisions. She TELLS her husband what he's gonna do. When their daughter got in trouble as a 17 year old, their solution, Throw her out and disown her! Her mom just wants the the little boy and will get him anyway she can, even getting a friend with ties to Child Services to assist. Then we have the church itself. One of the people associated directly with the church is clearly a hate filled RACIST. The pastor of the church is trying but he too fails on several levels. One could say the events of this day started when those boys were little and they were thrown out of the church !!!! Now I enjoyed the movie, but I felt there was so much more message that this film could have produced. So many levels of Love and Compassion that show and teach the TRUE meaning of being a Christian. The only ones who showed Christian love in this film were the Guy who had been in jail and the young man who fell in love with a young lady and her son.

The way to gain custody, shoot up a church

[bkoganbing · 2/10 · 15 October 2017]

Restin Burk and Kate Randall have a real problem. They've lost custody of her son, Burk is not the father but he treats the kid as if he was his own. These two are barely getting by and probably the best thing for the kid is to stay with her parents until they can get on their feet. Burk doesn't want to hear that. Nor does he want Randall out getting five finger discounts to get by.

So what do they do? One Sunday when mom and dad and Randall's sister take the kid to church and she stays with him at their day care center and Burk, Randall, and Burk's not too tightly wrapped friend Michael Wilbanks come in to claim the kid. Only Wilbanks has brought himself along an automatic rifle, the kind the NRA says that folks like him really shouldn't be prevented from having and shoots a few people, robs the church and holds a lot of hostages. One of the dead is the county sheriff.

I think the chance of custody is really gone if it ever existed. But the chance to set folks on the right path is demonstrated in this amateur production made by a local Baptist Church and shot in Texas.

The cast is admittedly amateurs and it shows. The direction is non existent and the message is somewhat suspect. Getting saved might help your soul, but being part of a killing of a sheriff in Texas will not help you on this mortal coil.

Above all the story line itself makes no sense.

I wouldn't even show this in church audiences.