Customer Reviews

Five Wives, Three Secretaries And Me

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best memoir film I have ever seen. It's a quirky piece of work which slowly and patiently mesmerizes the viewer, reeling us to a surprisingly poignant ending. The old coot at the center of the film is an interesting mix of traits: charming, cranky, controlling, creative and -- as one might expect from an 88-year-old southerner -- a racist. After a hilarious introduction, the film takes a sudden turn for the serious when film-maker/daughter Tessa reveals she lives with a black man. I was surprised (and pleased) to discover that the boyfriend is really only a metaphor for what stands between father and daughter -- not only politics, but age, geography, perspective. One wonders how these two people can ever find a solution. The film concludes with a scene that is either devastating or full of hope depending on your perspective. No matter how you crack it, it's a bittersweet tale. Lest these comments mislead, let me be clear that the film is also a riot, with actual belly-laughs amid the drama. But the real meat here isn't the comedy, it's the intelligent examination of a culture and a family.

This was a glorious exploration of human relationships between young and old - really old! It was also very funny. The soundtrack was just a hoot and I adored that woman with the big blonde hair and the goblet of wine. Good for anybody interested in Texas, rich people, or family dynamics.

This movie was very touching, honest, sad, interesting and complete. However, it leaves Tessa "without closure". She wants her father to accept her biracial boyfriend, yet he denies her the opportunity. He quickly ends the conversation as the movie ends. I noticed her tears. The ONE thing she wants him to understand is beyond his social and ethical abilities, which is sad. Money and beauty is all that motivates her father. She loves her biracial boyfriend, yet leaves him, I think, because of her father and what he thinks. Her desire to make her father happy overcomes her own desires for happiness. She does not want to disappoint her father, which is very understanding. She wants to make her father happy, yet wants to be happy herself. This film was excellent. I wish I had her personal email address, which is probably impossible. She knows, as well as I do, that money is not everything in life. Her boyfriend was very intelligent, attractive and fun. Skin color is not significant when it comes to happiness. I wish you happiness, Tessa, if you read this.

I just can't say enough good things about this movie. I saw this film in a local theater when it was out and I loved it! I laughed till I cried and then I just cried. The end will remind most people of their own parents, I'm sure. It's also fun to see how the "other half" lives. I highly recommend seeing this movie.

I'm not usually a big documentary watcher, but I loved this one. It's not a very typical documentary -- funny, sad, weird. And the music is wonderful. Watch it.

I wholeheartedly recommend this film to anyone -- it's for parents and children, not just fathers and daughters. This movie plays more like a story than what you usually think of as documentary. I liked old Blakey, though some people in the audience couldn't stand him. It made me think about my relationships with my own parents. It's very funny up until the bittersweet ending.

Of Cource I found this book very intersting since I know 95% of the people in the book. But seriously Tess did a fine job of putting it all down on paper. Wish she had talked to me before she wrote this book I could have given her lots of interesting notes.
FM

What a load of hooey all these reviews are! She's a spoiled, poor little rich girl out to do a hatchet job on her dad. And she can't even do that. the old guy outfoxes her. The only thing I liked was hearing about Tom's world. All that psychobabble therapy stuff is for the dogs.

Awesome documentary. Turn the audio commentary on, you'll get a kick out of it - I loved hearing Tessa and the producer fill in the blanks! This is not just a "chick movie," my whole family loved it.

I very much enjoyed this film. Funny and SAD! made me glad to be me and have my family. At least we TALK about things!