Compassionately explores the seemingly irreconcilable situation between conservative Christian parents and their estranged gay and lesbian children.
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10/08/02
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Arthur Dong: Family Fundamentals
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Reviews Counted:28
Fresh:21
Rotten:7
Average Rating:6.8/10
Theatrical Release:Oct 11, 2002 Limited
Synopsis: In his new feature documentary, Family Fundamentals, filmmaker Arthur Dong (Licensed to Kill, Coming Out Under Fire) continues his quest to understand American contempt for homosexuality and its... [More]
Director: Arthur Dong
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Reviews for Arthur Dong: Family Fundamentals
Top Critic[Dong] makes a valiant effort to understand everyone's point of view, and he does such a good job of it that Family Fundamentals gets you riled up.
10/11/02
The documentary does little, apart from raising the topic, to further stoke the conversation.
07/21/02
An incendiary, deeply thought-provoking look at one of the most peculiar (and peculiarly venomous) bigotries in our increasingly frightening theocracy
09/24/02
The problem with this film is that it lacks focus. I sympathize with the plight of these families, but the movie doesn't do a very good job conveying the issue at hand.
07/26/02
Dong shows how intolerance has the power to deform families, then tear them apart.
10/10/02
As part of Mr. Dong's continuing exploration of homosexuality in America, Family Fundamentals is an earnest study in despair.
10/10/02
Top CriticA timely and incisive film about the untenable conflict between warring American values -- religious fundamentalism versus family love.
12/08/02
Mature, graceful documentary on conservative Christian parents with homosexual children.
06/21/02
Dong never pushes for insights beyond the superficial tensions of the dynamic he’s dissecting, and the film settles too easily along the contours of expectation.
10/10/02
Sensitive though not quite revelatory documentary.
07/26/02
Top CriticDong doesn’t demonize the conservative Christians he talks to, but he doesn’t have to...
10/10/02
Without heavy-handedness, Dong provides perspective with his intelligent grasp of human foibles and contradictions.
06/22/02
Top CriticUsing his audience as a figurative port-of-call, Dong pulls his even-handed ideological ship to their dock for unloading, before he continues his longer journey still ahead.
10/07/02
A moving and important film.
11/01/02
An earnest, heartrending look at the divide between religious fundamentalists and their gay relatives. It's also heavy-handed and devotes too much time to bigoted views.
10/11/02
Top CriticJust how these families interact may surprise you.
10/11/02
Top CriticCompassionate, potent documentary.
10/31/02
As in his other searingly intelligent docs, Dong presents the facts in an admirably clear-eyed way.
10/05/02
Has moments of great poignancy and insight.
10/16/02
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