According to statistics in the 1996 Gallup Poll, more than 27 million kids live apart from their fathers and more than 9 million of those will never see their fathers at all.
Those disturbing findings and the lasting effects of absent fathers on children are examined in "Missing in Action: An American Dream of Broken Hearts and Unpaid Debt," a well-intentioned but awkwardly executed documentary by first-time filmmaker Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier.
Shot in Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Washington and Chicago, the film offers a good balance of interviews with psychologists, teachers and religious and political leaders, in addition to left-behind children and one disappearing dad.
There is no shortage of colorful and articulate subjects selected from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, including fully functioning nuclear family units.
But the subject matter also hits close to home for public relations vet Mitchell Bou'vier and co-writer-producer actress Kelly Hill, and that is where the problems arise. In addition to contributing their own touching, in-studio childhood recollections of being left behind by their fathers, they also pop up several times to introduce the film and explain their intentions. Later, they sum everything up while reminding viewers that there's also an accompanying book available.
Rather than trusting the film -- and its capable subjects -- to get the message across, their constant presence has some unwittingly self-serving repercussions. When combined with distracting, tacky video effects, "Missing in Action" ends up feeling more like an infomercial than a heartfelt documentary about a troubling reality.
MISSING IN ACTION
Hill Mitchell Prods.
Director: Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier
Based on the book "Missing in Action: An American Journey of Broken Dreams and Unpaid Debt" by: Kelly Hill and Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier
Producer: Kelly Hill
Executive producers: Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier, Kelly Hill
Director of photography: Lawrence Emlaw
Editors: Earthquake, Jeff Ricther, Terry Ricther, Jarrett Cijal, Kevin Childress
Music supervisor: Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier
Color/stereo
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Those disturbing findings and the lasting effects of absent fathers on children are examined in "Missing in Action: An American Dream of Broken Hearts and Unpaid Debt," a well-intentioned but awkwardly executed documentary by first-time filmmaker Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier.
Shot in Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Washington and Chicago, the film offers a good balance of interviews with psychologists, teachers and religious and political leaders, in addition to left-behind children and one disappearing dad.
There is no shortage of colorful and articulate subjects selected from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, including fully functioning nuclear family units.
But the subject matter also hits close to home for public relations vet Mitchell Bou'vier and co-writer-producer actress Kelly Hill, and that is where the problems arise. In addition to contributing their own touching, in-studio childhood recollections of being left behind by their fathers, they also pop up several times to introduce the film and explain their intentions. Later, they sum everything up while reminding viewers that there's also an accompanying book available.
Rather than trusting the film -- and its capable subjects -- to get the message across, their constant presence has some unwittingly self-serving repercussions. When combined with distracting, tacky video effects, "Missing in Action" ends up feeling more like an infomercial than a heartfelt documentary about a troubling reality.
MISSING IN ACTION
Hill Mitchell Prods.
Director: Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier
Based on the book "Missing in Action: An American Journey of Broken Dreams and Unpaid Debt" by: Kelly Hill and Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier
Producer: Kelly Hill
Executive producers: Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier, Kelly Hill
Director of photography: Lawrence Emlaw
Editors: Earthquake, Jeff Ricther, Terry Ricther, Jarrett Cijal, Kevin Childress
Music supervisor: Hugh Mitchell Bou'vier
Color/stereo
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 7/12/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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