We had a three-way tie in our last fight. Pursuant to MFC rules, the member who asked the question got to select the winner. It was another win for Terri Mauro who this week asks a question designed to inspire: What’s the best film about overcoming a disability?
I'm conflicted here because I know I should go with one of those feel-good movies that inspires, something like Peanut Butter Falcon or My Left Foot, but I'm going to go a little dark here just because it is a different take on the answer.
Joker (2019) shows the complex deterioration of Arthur Fleck. He begins as man whose only childhood wish was to be happy,and make other people happy, but due to a condition that caused him to laugh uncontrollably, he becomes a social outcast who's bullied and physically abused his entire life (including by his parents). This results in a mixture of psychological problems and plagues him into becoming a murderous sociopath.
Buuuuuut, since he is seen by the riotous masses as a counter-cultural hero, he (sort of) "overcomes" that to where he basically the figurehead of a revolution.
I know, it's dark as heck, but the psychology is amazing. I never imagined there could be a movie that would make me sympathize with how the The Joker became the monster he is, but there it was.
I am torn on "Joker." The way that Fleck is pushed into becoming the Joker works as social commentary, and shines a light on the way the mentally ill are treated. But is it a good thing to create a figure as realistically sick as Fleck, when the figure will go on to become the (arguably) most evil character ever created? I worry that the film might perpetuate the stigma rather than foster understanding. But I don't know; it was a damn good movie.
I always thought that The Elephant Man was beautiful and disturbing. In fact, it's one of those movies (like Twelve Angry Men, To Kill A Mockingbird, and The Oxbow Incident) that all citizens of the Earth should be required to watch. The screenplay is flawed, but even when you have to suspend disbelief, you're mesmerized. Everything else about the film is perfectly calibrated to break your heart.
The Miracle Worker— the original with Anne Bancroft.
Helen Keller’s story is mind-blowing. She lived in total darkness and silence without hope… until her teacher (equally inspiring) gave her the keys to her prison and led her out.
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” – Helen Keller
Temple Grandin, the true story of an autistic woman born in the 40s who overcame all kinds of misunderstandings about her needs and and abilities while simultaneously battling sexism in her industry. Such a great movie; I completely forgot it was Claire Danes who was acting as I watched it.
Her books are worth seeking out also; "Thinking in Pictures" and "Animals in Translation" are two that come to mind because they're still on my shelf. I also interviewed her around the time of the movie for a podcast I was cohosting on inclusive education (https://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-inclusive-class/2013/10/01/special-guest-temple-grandin), though I don't remember much about it other than I was recording from my minivan in a parking lot, and I was distracted by the fact that OMGI'mtalkingtoTempleGrandin!.
I'm conflicted here because I know I should go with one of those feel-good movies that inspires, something like Peanut Butter Falcon or My Left Foot, but I'm going to go a little dark here just because it is a different take on the answer.
Joker (2019) shows the complex deterioration of Arthur Fleck. He begins as man whose only childhood wish was to be happy,and make other people happy, but due to a condition that caused him to laugh uncontrollably, he becomes a social outcast who's bullied and physically abused his entire life (including by his parents). This results in a mixture of psychological problems and plagues him into becoming a murderous sociopath.
Buuuuuut, since he is seen by the riotous masses as a counter-cultural hero, he (sort of) "overcomes" that to where he basically the figurehead of a revolution.
I know, it's dark as heck, but the psychology is amazing. I never imagined there could be a movie that would make me sympathize with how the The Joker became the monster he is, but there it was.
I am torn on "Joker." The way that Fleck is pushed into becoming the Joker works as social commentary, and shines a light on the way the mentally ill are treated. But is it a good thing to create a figure as realistically sick as Fleck, when the figure will go on to become the (arguably) most evil character ever created? I worry that the film might perpetuate the stigma rather than foster understanding. But I don't know; it was a damn good movie.
Yeah It's such a layered film.
I always thought that The Elephant Man was beautiful and disturbing. In fact, it's one of those movies (like Twelve Angry Men, To Kill A Mockingbird, and The Oxbow Incident) that all citizens of the Earth should be required to watch. The screenplay is flawed, but even when you have to suspend disbelief, you're mesmerized. Everything else about the film is perfectly calibrated to break your heart.
Great movie, great answer!
The Miracle Worker— the original with Anne Bancroft.
Helen Keller’s story is mind-blowing. She lived in total darkness and silence without hope… until her teacher (equally inspiring) gave her the keys to her prison and led her out.
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” – Helen Keller
Temple Grandin, the true story of an autistic woman born in the 40s who overcame all kinds of misunderstandings about her needs and and abilities while simultaneously battling sexism in her industry. Such a great movie; I completely forgot it was Claire Danes who was acting as I watched it.
Her books are worth seeking out also; "Thinking in Pictures" and "Animals in Translation" are two that come to mind because they're still on my shelf. I also interviewed her around the time of the movie for a podcast I was cohosting on inclusive education (https://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-inclusive-class/2013/10/01/special-guest-temple-grandin), though I don't remember much about it other than I was recording from my minivan in a parking lot, and I was distracted by the fact that OMGI'mtalkingtoTempleGrandin!.
Oh wow!! That’s so cool! I’ll check out her books, thanks!
A Beautiful mind.
Hands down I am Sam! I love that movie! Sean Penn does such a great job.