Watch The Brainwashing Of My Dad

The Brainwashing Of My Dad is a powerful and eye-opening documentary from 2015 that explores the impact of right-wing media on one man's life, and the wider implications for American culture and politics. The film is directed by Jen Senko, who uses her personal experience of her father's transformation from a moderate, happy-go-lucky guy into an angry, conservative talk radio addict to investigate the larger phenomenon of the conservative media machine.

The movie opens with Senko's own story of growing up in a loving, liberal household, and her shock when her dad, Frank, suddenly became a Rush Limbaugh listener and Fox News viewer in the late 1990s. She recounts how her dad's personality changed from a happy-go-lucky guy to someone who was always angry and argumentative. The shift in her father's values and beliefs was a mystery to her, and it was only years later that she realized the cause: the conservative media machine.

The film does an excellent job of tracing the history of conservative media from its roots in radio talk shows to its expansion into cable news and the internet. We see how people like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck rose to prominence by tapping into a deep-seated anger and frustration among some Americans who felt left behind by the social and economic changes of the 1960s and '70s. This is exemplified by Frank's transformation, who was a happy and contented man until the day he started tuning in to right-wing talk radio.

The Brainwashing Of My Dad not only tells the story of Frank's transformation but also the impact it had on his family and his political beliefs. We see interviews with Senko's mother and sister, who recount the profound impact of Frank's new beliefs on their lives. It's a fascinating window into the insidious effects of right-wing media on personal relationships and civil discourse.

Through interviews with media critics, former radio executives, and political strategists, the film also highlights how the right-wing media machine has led to a polarized, divided America. We see how it's created a feedback loop in which conservative politicians and pundits play to their base, egging on the most extreme elements of their audiences, and in turn, stoking ever more intense feelings of anger and resentment.

One of the most powerful moments in the film is when Senko confronts Glenn Beck at a book signing. The exchange is confrontational and tense, with Beck denying any responsibility for the toxic atmosphere of our political discourse. It's a poignant moment that underscores the importance of the film's message: that the media we consume shapes our worldview, and the stakes are high when media outlets propagate extreme or false narratives.

Ultimately, The Brainwashing Of My Dad is a compelling and well-crafted documentary that takes a deep dive into the conservative media machine and its impact on American culture and politics. Senko's personal journey is a potent illustration of the transformative power of right-wing media, and the film lays bare the corrosive effects of the echo chamber of media consumption. For anyone interested in understanding how we got to this point of intense polarization and fragmentation in American society, this film is a must-see.

The Brainwashing Of My Dad is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.