Brown Bread

Sarah Gross's documentary explores the family formed by her parents Margot and Peter in the 1970s, when they adopted four children of color who were younger than Sarah and her brother James. As adults, the siblings maintain some distance, but when they reunited for the Gross's 50th wedding anniversary, all but one were willing to be interviewed on film. Their conversations develop into a complex portrait of relationships, interracial adoption, racial identity, resilience, deep familial ties, and the unexpected costs of good intentions. While Adam and Daniel, adopted as infants, blended easily into the household, the later addition of older siblings Carl and Carla from an abusive foster home caused considerable turmoil. Margot and Peter discuss the sense of social responsibility that led them to adopt interracially at a time when such adoptions were uncommon; their difficulty in connecting emotionally with their adopted children; and their dinnertime segregation of the youngsters—ostensibly based upon their ages but almost certainly signaling “otherness.” Adam initially deflects on-camera questions about interpersonal dynamics but later he admits his belief that Margot would always favor her biological offspring. The younger four struggled to fit in socially and culturally as they grew older, but Carl nonetheless credits Margot with being his childhood “best friend,” a mother who relentlessly battled against his delinquent behavior and instilled in him a sense of responsibility that would later help stabilize his adult relationships. The film closes with three generations coming together for the anniversary party, in which they exhibit great affection and camaraderie. An entertaining social documentary featuring an intelligent and articulate family, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)