Father Knows

By: Amos Lassen

I have always liked the way Toby Ross approaches the films that he makes even though many critics see him differently. I remember Ross from the time he directed porn and there was always something about his movies that attracted me but I am not sure exactly what it is.
"Father Knows" is a bittersweet comedy-drama which deals with family as it looks at love and estrangement over a fifteen year period. Brad seems to be part of a simple American family but we soon learn that this is not necessarily so. He tells the story as he writes his memoirs which focus on the person who is the love of his life, Ira. He tells about their break up and of Ira's stormy relationship with his parents. Ira and his father is a central character in the film but if I explain that I risk ruining the film watching experience for you.
The basic premise of "Father Knows" is that love is something that takes years of patience and does not just happen. The movie hits close to home as it deals with issues that all of us face. The theme of learning to deal with family is wonderfully interpreted. The other issues of the film are just as tastefully handled-romance and city living. There is also some male nudity and soft-core sex but it is romance that this movie is about.

By: john lyons

I saw one of Toby Ross' other movies called Bowser Makes A Movie and I really liked it. Sure, it wasn't perfect but it was still really clever and funny. So I checked this one out. I didn't love it but I still thought that it was better than most gay movies out there. The story is pretty much about two people who have a brief affair and then part ways, never able to forget about each other.The movie was well acted, especially on the part of pornstar Cort Donnavan and the supporting cast is also pretty good. Ross is a good director but this seems to be his sellout movie. It's the closest thing to a really gay TLA movie. That said, I ended up liking the characters and, despite the constraints of the budget, thought that the movie was very well made. The very ending of of it makes up for any other issues I might have had. It leaves you on an interesting note. A better than average gay movie but nothing great.

By: Dreamlover

First and foremost it is rare to see a film that has a really engrossing story and full nudity (with erections) embedded in the drama and it still looks like a real movie. I liked "young Ira" however "older Ira" seemed a bit of an asshole, (I suspect he might be in reality). The film could almost pass for a family film if the nudity and sex simulations were cut out, the director might want to consider this option. Being a father with a gay son this film spoke volumes to me and I did became emotional in some of the sad parts but laughed at the comedy too. The ending seemed a bit strange.

By: JB