Our Father is a documentary about "fertility doctor" Donald Cline and his serial, clandestine and unconsented to use of his own sperm in "fertility treatments" in the 70's and 80's resulting in multiple half siblings who discover each other as a result of the rise of at home genetic testing. The narrative unfolds through mostly talking head interviews with some reenactments and footage from the present.
It is fascinating subject matter and to hear the stories of the many half-siblings and their families is very impactful. But, whether because of legality or creative choice, Cline's motive is unclear and is only passingly speculated about. And because most of the half-siblings seem to all, mostly, be in a state of still-processing, they relate what there lives were like before and then when they found out, they talk very little about what it means to them now, the effect. And without this perspective the movie feels relatively incomplete.
It's a cautionary tale and a powerful one if, ultimately, somewhat thin in the conclusions it's able to draw and in the solace it's able to impart.
Currently streaming on Netflix.
Stream It.
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