Fathers And Sons (2005)

Three different filmmakers direct as many segments of this heartwarming drama about the complex relationships between fathers and sons, spanning generations and focusing on three families living on suburban Caleb's Path Road. Rob Spera (THE KIDS WHO SAVED SUMMER) helms the first story, which follows the roller coaster that is family life for Anthony (Bradley Whitford, THE WEST WING). Beginning with his experiences as a skittish expectant dad, which finds Anthony nervous about his parenting abilities in the face of his failed relationship with own father, he grows over the course of 30 years into a wizened grandfather. Rodrigo Garcia (THINGS YOU CAN TELL JUST BY LOOKING AT HER), the son of Mexican magical realist Gabriel Garcia Marquez, directs John Mahoney (FRASIER) as Gene, a stoic airline pilot whose wife (Kathy Baker) has become accustomed to his taciturn nature. One night over dinner, however, she informs him that their gay son, Tom (Ron Eldard), who has recently experienced a tragedy, is coming to visit. Gene must somehow put aside his objections to Tom's lifestyle to help him through a difficult time. Finally, Jared Rappaport's (BLINDNESS) final third tells of Elliott's (Gale Harold, QUEER AS FOLK) homecoming; the prodigal son, Elliott is a successful doctor who is estranged from his parents (Joe Bologna and Barbara Barrie) and sister (Lisa Edelstein). As his father is dying, Elliott experiences a painful awakening, helped along by his burgeoning relationship with Nell (Vinessa Shaw, EYES WIDE SHUT).