MovieChat Forums > Prodigal Sons (2008) Discussion > Prodigal Sons would probably work better...

Prodigal Sons would probably work better as a movie

posted 14 years ago by queen_cowpatty
3 replies | jump to latest

This was a very interesting documentary but the pacing of the story and Kim's need to be understood and accepted despite everyone seemingly doing just that, sort of threw me off a bit. I'm sure there was more to it than what was shown but it was sometimes hard to read between the line...

I think there is a lot of back story and exploration on the themes of desiring that which at one point seems unattainable, needs to be delved in to... i.e. Marc's need to be better than Paul and Kim's need to forget Paul ever existed...

As Kim said "the ghost of Paul haunts them both."

Also how did Kim express her feelings to her family at first? How and when did Marc marry his wife? Todd is also an interesting person because while YES Marc was difficult, people don't just up and leave to San Francisco and refuse to communicate with their brother...what the hell happened??

This documentary for me and the story the family has to tell, would probably work better as a full length film where creative license can elaborate on the things shown in pictures and told through the dialogue. Show Marc in high school, Paul's transition, how the father's death impacted the family, etc... Now that we know Marc has passed away, how is that affecting the family?

This documentary left a lot to be desired. If done right, a movie adaptation of the documentary could be Oscar worthy!

[–] kmo2616 14 years ago

I thought the exact same thing. Definitely movie material. Who knows, maybe the right person will hear about this story and want to turn it into something more, hopefully without butchering it. I'd be first in line to see it.

[–] Thebobo. 13 years ago

Perhaps the narrative was like a movie. Your question about how and when did Marc marry his wife is a good point. The documentary seems to go out of its way by hiding the fact he is married and has a family (we are never told he has two sons). If this were made into a fictional film Marc would not be married or have legitimate children. He would most likely be a loner living with his mother. The 'family' aspect would cause less empathy for his character. Take Ed Wood for example. The supporting character of Bela Lugosi is shown to be a lonely,poor old man with a drug problem. In real life he had a wife and a son who lived with him. If that was in the movie it would have taken the luster and drama out of his character and Martin Landau would probably not have won an Oscar.
It's all fun and games 'till somebody gets hurt!

[–] DisturbedPixie 12 years ago

Let me say Marc is very similar, behavior wise, to my brother, who still lives at home with mom and some cats...
In real life most people like that DO end up failing in life. And I can easily see why his younger brother moved away. No one should have to deal with someone like Marc, when he is so easy to blame his issues on outside influences and never embrace a real change.

To me at least, Kim isn't the star of the documentary, because a character like Marc would never let people forget their issues and must take the opportunity to lash out. At least he is at peace, and his family can begin to heal.