God, Country, Family

I've been a bit enraptured (or obsessed I suppose) watching last year's HBO miniseries "John Adams". I'm a big fan of Laura Linney's work and she certainly does not disappoint. I'm about 5 hours into the 7 hours of this truly in-depth look at a man I knew very little about but whom I find myself completely fascinated by.

The film, produced in part by Tom Hanks' production company PlayTone, is not only very well filmed aesthetically, it is also so deliberately historical that I now have a greater understanding of the label "Our Founding Fathers". These men: Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton (portrayed in a negative light as too nosy and too pro-Britania), Washington, and Franklin, as each given their due spotlight depending of their particular role. Of course the story revolves around Adams entirely so it is but a rare occasion that Paul Giamatti is not in a scene.

As a woman, of course my greatest sympathy lies with Abigail, who at times calls herself a widow, for she spent more time without her husband than with him. She tolerates his growing obsession with making sure the U.S. properly detaches itself from Britain (he is a man of the law) and establishes itself with the best chance to grow and thrive. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for his own flesh and blood.

He fathers 5 children, I believe, and each one in turn becomes calloused by their father's unrelenting dedication to the new United States of America. His eldest, John Quincy, craves his father's attention, but realizes it may only be had if he continues the legacy of service to his country. The youngest, Charles, becomes an alcoholic, mainly because he felt abandoned at a young age when his John recalled Abigail to Europe for over five years.

On the upside, it appears that Adams had very little time for infidelity. He is encouraged by Ben Franklin to take a mistress in Paris- a gesture he scoffs at. He is faithful to his country first though and completely neglects his wife, even so far as to cease writing her letters when he is abroad and things are not going well. He asks for forgiveness but then regresses back into his old ways again and again.
Back then, divorce on these grounds would've been useless to Abigail and her children but the film makes it very clear that the children suffered into adulthood at the emotional neglect of their father.

Let it be a lesson: Work is work- but family and most importantly God are far more a priority to us today.