The second feature film by 28-year-old Bobby Roth (who appeared at PFA with his first feature, Independence Day, in November 1976), The Boss' Son was presented at the 1978 San Francisco Film Festival, and received this notice from the Chronicle's John Wasserman:

“...Bobby Rose (portrayed by Asher Brauner) is in his early 20s and armed with a master's degree in business. His father, Joseph (Rudy Solari), owns a large but financially tottering textile plant, turning out rugs for retailers. He brings the youth in to learn the business from the ground up.
“Bobby starts in delivery, schlepping great rolls of carpeting to various stores in Southern California and sharing the working lives of men and women who view him - at first suspiciously, then with guarded, self-serving optimism - as their future boss...

“It gives away no secret to say that the young man learns many things as the boss' son; most of all that he doesn't want to be the boss.
“Director Roth, who underwent a similar awakening while working in his own father's business, has turned out a valid and interesting film on a modest budget.
“Asher Brauner, in the title role, is a fine actor with powerful presence, daddy Solari and brother-in-law Darren are vivid (although the make-up to age Solari leaves something to be desired). Henry Sanders is wonderful as Charles, and Rita Moreno (as the alcoholic mother), Richie Havens (as the shipping department head), Michelle Davison, Carmen Argenziano, Elena Verdugo and Piper Laurie (in a cameo) are all excellent.

“The Boss' Son has shortcomings, as director Roth is fully aware, but it is a vital film, alive with authenticity and the more admirable for its utter lack of commercial compromise.”