At the film's core lie pertinent and important thematic concerns, but the manner it chooses to engage with them is kept deliberately lighthearted and frivolous, ensuring the conversation is open, inclusive and easily consumed. It talks of relationships and the familial space with a lens that is focused on interpersonal dynamics between men.
Lawrence has reached a point where any expression of love towards his twelve-year-old son, Jonas, will be jeered at and made fun of by his softball teammates. Though the film introduces you to the imagined and toxic standards of masculinity, as well as the idea of a family which can be both nurturing and oppressive, it never deviates from an approach that is marked by ease and humor. Its true strength lies in the fact that it does not take itself too seriously, the opposite of which could have possibly made the treatment of the subject matter hackneyed.
After an especially stressful day with his mates, Lawrence comes back home an emotional wreck who has to be comforted by a patient and sagacious Jonas. In a parodical reversal of roles, the son comforts his father. Following the kind words, the protagonist eventually finds himself strong enough to finally make a decision about Jonas and the softball team, however, will this decision come in time for Lawrence to make all the needed amends?
Read LessLawrence has reached a point where any expression of love towards his twelve-year-old son, Jonas, will be jeered at and made fun of by his softball teammates. Though the film introduces you to the imagined and toxic standards of masculinity, as well as the idea of a family which can be both nurturing and oppressive, it never deviates from an approach that is marked by ease and humor. Its true strength lies in the fact that it does not take itself too seriously, the opposite of which could have possibly made the treatment of the subject matter hackneyed.
After an especially stressful day with his mates, Lawrence comes back home an emotional wreck who has to be comforted by a patient and sagacious Jonas. In a parodical reversal of roles, the son comforts his father. Following the kind words, the protagonist eventually finds himself strong enough to finally make a decision about Jonas and the softball team, however, will this decision come in time for Lawrence to make all the needed amends?
I Love You Son originated from a funny, cliche scene in the movie 'Remember the Titans' in which linebacker Gerry Bertier speaks to his girlfriend on the phone while the team is away at practice. Right before he hangs up, she encourages him to say he loves her, but with his teammates around him teasing him for loving his girlfriend, he has a hard time. So we thought, "What if we took that idea and applied it to adults who play recreational softball and put a darker emotional twist on it by making the person who can't be loved fully the main character's son?"
It really started out as a goofy sketch idea, but turned into something we wanted to give real heart to by including the fractured father-son relationship. That's also why it's shot the way it is. It's meant to be high-drama -a parody of teenage sports movies and TV shows, so it has to look the way it looks. The visuals, the score, and the performances all add some fun texture to the world and to the parody. But, at the end of the day, 'I Love You Son' is just a very silly, very fun idea that we wanted to try and execute in an unexpected way.
It really started out as a goofy sketch idea, but turned into something we wanted to give real heart to by including the fractured father-son relationship. That's also why it's shot the way it is. It's meant to be high-drama -a parody of teenage sports movies and TV shows, so it has to look the way it looks. The visuals, the score, and the performances all add some fun texture to the world and to the parody. But, at the end of the day, 'I Love You Son' is just a very silly, very fun idea that we wanted to try and execute in an unexpected way.
Elizabeth ArcherDirector, I Love You Son
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