What Was Ours

This documentary explores the complex and often fraught relationship between a father and his son, delving into themes of addiction, family legacy, and the search for redemption. It chronicles the filmmaker's journey to understand his father's struggles with alcoholism and the impact it had on their family dynamics. Through intimate interviews and archival footage, the film seeks to shed light on the generational cycles of trauma and the possibility of healing.

What Was Ours received a mixed to positive reception, with critics often highlighting its raw emotional honesty and the filmmaker's courage in confronting difficult personal issues. While some found its pacing uneven, many praised its unflinching look at addiction and its impact on family relationships, deeming it a powerful and personal exploration of healing and reconciliation.

• Praised for its emotional depth and unflinching portrayal of addiction.

• Acknowledged for the filmmaker's personal and courageous approach to a difficult subject.

• Some reviews noted a slow pace or a lack of broader appeal beyond personal documentaries.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'What Was Ours' are not widely available, making it difficult to summarize specific likes or dislikes. However, similar documentaries that delve into personal family struggles and addiction often resonate with viewers who appreciate raw honesty and stories of overcoming adversity.

The film is the directorial debut of M. David Matalon, who embarked on this deeply personal project to better understand his own family history and his father's struggles with addiction.