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Based on the NY Times bestselling book by Andrew Solomon, Far from the Tree examines the experiences of families in which parents and children are profoundly different from one another a variety of ways.
I absolutely loved everything about this film. I haven’t seen a story in a long time that was so open and honest about the issues of love and acceptance especially when it comes to parent and child.
The film is based on a book written by Andrew Solomon, who is a homosexual that never felt accepted by his parents who constantly wanted him to change and conform. After trying for many years and failing to meet society’s standards of what a man should be, he spent 10 years researching the struggles of others who were also considered “abnormal.”
In this movie, we get beautiful glimpses of five different lives, including Solomon’s. All struggling with their own unique issues of trying to navigate life with so-called abnormalities such as; Autism, Dwarfism, Down syndrome and Mental Illness. This film was so raw and touching because it not only told the story of how difficult it was for a parent to raise and accept a child that did not fit into their ideal of what they should be, but also the struggles that child has trying to fit in. The stories are so moving, especially in a day and age where we are soemotionally detached and judge so harshly towards others who are not like us. I think his film will at least open up a conversation not only about being willing to accept others but also, learning to love and accept ourselves.
In theaters August 3rd
