Faith of My Fathers is a rather formulaic, predictable personality puff piece based on Senator John McCain's memoirs of his capture and experiences in Viet Nam.
As horrific as that experience must have been, this "made for TV" docudrama does a fairly good job of relating the ugly and terrible experience McCain went through without getting overly graphic or violent. The personal struggles with morality and sense of duty (for everyone) are what is in focus here.
Though much of the film portrays our "hero" as a noble and somewhat naive rebel, I believe it goes too far in trying to excuse McCain's faults and weaknesses and in fact, attempts to portray them as strengths or gloss over them altogether. Given the timing of this film, it is quite obviously a character "re-calibration" attempt for the McCain brand leading up to his run for the presidency. However, I think the film is excessive in its blatant attempt to present McCain as virtually perfect. While there's nothing wrong with being noble, brave, persistent, etc. For the right reasons, the film takes every opportunity to make sure you "get it." McCain was a hero, we get it... but it rather beats the point to death. Not unlike your grandma insisting you have "just one more bite" of her wonderful peach cobbler even though you are about to burst.
No doubt there were plenty of "personality branding" experts on hand to tweak the script (mostly to cut out anything that might be considered negative for McCain). The film is well acted and well produced. It is interesting enough to sit through but knowing its purpose was primarily to get McCain elected makes it feel a little too much like an elaborate and very expensive campaign ad. Still a good watch.
As horrific as that experience must have been, this "made for TV" docudrama does a fairly good job of relating the ugly and terrible experience McCain went through without getting overly graphic or violent. The personal struggles with morality and sense of duty (for everyone) are what is in focus here.
Though much of the film portrays our "hero" as a noble and somewhat naive rebel, I believe it goes too far in trying to excuse McCain's faults and weaknesses and in fact, attempts to portray them as strengths or gloss over them altogether. Given the timing of this film, it is quite obviously a character "re-calibration" attempt for the McCain brand leading up to his run for the presidency. However, I think the film is excessive in its blatant attempt to present McCain as virtually perfect. While there's nothing wrong with being noble, brave, persistent, etc. For the right reasons, the film takes every opportunity to make sure you "get it." McCain was a hero, we get it... but it rather beats the point to death. Not unlike your grandma insisting you have "just one more bite" of her wonderful peach cobbler even though you are about to burst.
No doubt there were plenty of "personality branding" experts on hand to tweak the script (mostly to cut out anything that might be considered negative for McCain). The film is well acted and well produced. It is interesting enough to sit through but knowing its purpose was primarily to get McCain elected makes it feel a little too much like an elaborate and very expensive campaign ad. Still a good watch.