Christmas With Dad

Above: Still from "Christmas with Dad" by Conor McCormack

Unlike Steel Homes, Christmas With Dad focuses on one person and their family struggles. The directors aim is to give a snapshot of AJ’s struggles to identify as a father. One of the striking features of the film is the intimacy of the filming, you can see that the director has taken the time to really integrate into the family to catch some footage that wouldn’t be possible if they weren’t as comfortable around the director. There a few moments of light relief made possible because the children were comfortable around the filmmakers and this helps to relieve the noise and commotion and give the viewer a brief cessation in which to reflect. It also reflects the reality of the situation, in that even in such a hectic environment the children have little moments which reflect a child's behaviour in a lighthearted way - such as the brother reminding his sister "What did mum say about..." having her feet on the oven in a telltale way.

The films main focus is AJ as a father but does expand to his struggles with his past and worries for the future. I think it also focuses on the family as a whole, the commotion and overcrowded situation with another baby on the way. The film reflects on these issues well as it explores via interviews, AJ's feelings and then provides evidence in the form of establishing shots of the family in their natural environment.

I like the film for it's clarity and gritty realism that has been created by the access the filmmaker has managed to get, I think that this is a great credit to the film and I don't think it would be successful without this. However, I don't like that it appears as though, although it is just one situation, the film maker seems to be generalising about breadline families - I get this impression from some of the interview footage included about having christmas lights up outside the house and the general area being described. I feel that it takes away from AJ's personal story but I do acknowledge that getting the background of the estate in does help the audience get a feel for the families situation.

One of the best elements of the film for me was the intimacy created by having such a close up style filming as if you are there but the balance has been struck so that it is not intrusive to the family. I felt the film was not technically lavish or particularly structured but that it made the most of the events that unfolded and that it worked for the film because it showed that the family life was hectic and unplanned. I also liked AJ's openness about his struggles to come to terms with trying to father kids that aren't biologically his and trying to keep a child who is only 9 years younger in check when the child is trying to compete with him.

The sound in the film is consistent throughout in that the noise of the house is a constant but interspersed with the quieter interviews which keeps the viewer focused on the story. I also liked that the same music was used throughout and was a quiet sort of reflective music that did not distract the viewer from the points that had just been made. This to me was successful as it was not overbearing and fitted the content.

Overall, I think this is a successful documentary and I think the director was very skilful in obtaining that level of acceptance in the family. This is the best feature of the film and I think the moments of light comic relief work to make the film a balanced piece.