directed by Ted Passon
This is the best documentary I’ve seen this year. Period. That should be enough for you to stop reading and go watch it. However, if you’re a picky little cinephile, then fine… I’ll continue the post, but don’t expect anything else than my full admiration. We get to know Patrice, a lovely woman in her 50s, who’s a human form of sunshine, joy and passion. I swear, if you spend even few minutes with her, you immediately cheer up. But Patrice’s life hasn’t been a bed of roses as she’s a person with a disability, who often had to fight for her rights, comfort and acceptance. She will tell you her life story in the film, so I’m not spoiling anything now. As an adult woman, she makes her dreams come true and uses the time on this planet to the fullest. What’s more, she has a loving partner named Garry, who’s also disabled. Despite their obvious struggles, they support each other and their relationship seems incredibly strong. I guess it’s not only because they are a good match based on their characters and interests, but also because they both understand what it is to be marginalised. Watching those two is heart-warming and gives me hope that true love still exists. So is this documentary a big positivity bomb? Not always. Patrice and Garry wish to finally get married, but the law puts them in a difficult position. You’ll find a more precise explanation in the film, but shortly speaking: if two people with disabilities get married, their social benefits are taken away. As if by getting married they proved that they aren’t actually in need of such benefits, because, perhaps, if they are able to get married, they are able to work and do other things to survive. So the couple has to decide – either they get married and find some way to support themselves financially, or they stay just a couple and keep their benefits. Some may say this isn’t such a big deal, it’s just a ceremony – and perhaps they’re right. But equality means that we’re all allowed to do the same things. And if the two lovers don’t hurt anyone by wearing a white dress and a suit and saying “yes” at the altar, then why should we limit them from doing that? Especially, since after getting married, Patrice and Garry wouldn’t have to be given more benefits than their original ones, so that makes the law even more ridiculous. Even though they are wonderful people full of joy, I was incredibly touched by the documentary. At one point I even started to cry – and it was the moment when Patrice was crying as well, so you’ll know which one. Life can be so unfair no matter how positive we stay. But I guess even if we get those well-known lemons, we should make a damn lot of lemonade (or throw the lemons at the people who hurt us, both ideas sound good to me). This documentary is an inspiring story, made in an attractive way, giving you a lot of motivation, but also food for thought. I’m truly amazed and I’m so glad I had to see it. Wishing all people discriminated by the law to stay strong and keep on being themselves!
My rating: 9/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 