SYNOPSIS:

“Imperfect” is a documentary short film that is the story of two sons (James III and Christian Lynch) and how that story is intertwined with their special needs father (James Jr.) who is also the movie’s narrator. Act 1 begins with James Jr. telling his story, his struggle. A story which he probably should not be telling, a story of survival. James Jr. was born two and a half months premature, was two and a half pounds at birth and had a 25% chance of survival. He was terribly underdeveloped at birth and in order to combat that, the elder James spent the first six weeks of his life in the hospital NICU. His first home was an incubator. That underdevelopment had to rear its head in some form and it did. It was noticed when James Jr. began to walk. That process started late in comparison to other kids. He would fall a lot. He would walk on his tip toes. His feet were turned in. Anyone with any intelligence could see something was not right and after a full battery of tests that something was Cerebral Palsy. James Jr.’s greatest achievement is his two sons. Act 2 begins with James Jr. talking about those two young men. The Lynch family has been blessed to take part in and watch a great deal of athletic success. James III is 16 years old, 6’5”, 250 pounds and still growing. He has hit the genetic lottery, but is an unbelievably hard worker. James III is football and wrestling team captain. He is team lineman of the year and a state place winner in wrestling. Christian is three years younger. He has yet to hit high school, so he is working his way through the junior levels in two sports. He is a top level soccer player. He is able to use his feet like they are hands. In wrestling, he is a former state place winner. As a person with a disability, James Jr.’s biggest fear is having his children live a similar life to what he has. As Act 2 draws to a close, one sees a truly blessed man. He has one child who excels in wrestling and football and another who excels in wrestling and soccer, but if one looks a little deeper they would see a different story. For a while, on the soccer pitch or the mats was the only place Christian had any kind of significant success. He struggled with relationships, school work and even athletically at times. Christian’s mom saw something was different with Christian before anyone else. James Jr. didn’t want to see it. His biggest fear was coming true. He had a child who was different, a child who would go down a similar path to the one he has traveled. Upon examination, Christian is autistic, accompanied by ADHD, anxiety and sensory issues. Act 3 begins with James Jr. taking a deep dive into the dynamic that exists between himself and his two sons. He talks about being imperfect as a parent and mistakes he has made with each boy. He hopes they understand. His goal is to raise two men, to be their hero. However, he has come to the realization that he is not the hero or the inspiration. His son’s are the inspiration here for overcoming life’s struggles. The film concludes with James Jr. 's message of thanks to his boys for that inspiration.