Filmmaker Tom Murray
Read our interview with Tom, writer/producer/director of the documentary film Dad's in Heaven with Nixon — plus personal comments from other family members.
As the viewer is captivated by what unravels, the film almost seems to take on a life of its own. Tom's father, we learn, had bipolar disorder; teetering between violent outbursts, depression and detachment, he imposed a dark cloud over the entire family. In the face of it all, however, Janice vowed to simply love Chris. And she did, along with his siblings who protected and nurtured him throughout his life, even when their father slipped into his frequent moments of pure rage.
When his father died, Chris, who loved him without reservation, was devastated. He had difficulty expressing his pain and confusion – until he discovered an outlet for his emotions: he began to paint. Since that time, Chris has exhibited his art publicly and his paintings are included in both public and private collections. His artwork is depicted in the poster for the film.
This multi-layered story, compelling from the very first frame, evolves to capture all the complexities of this anything-but-typical family. Ultimately, Dad's in Heaven reveals a surprising turnabout as the roles between Tom and Chris are reversed, with Chris eventually becoming the light for his older brother in a troubled world. View the film trailer online.