I dont think I can say enough about how incredible this film was...
So I'll just say this...
Love should be all of our life's work.
Thank you Monica and David for letting us into your life... May you both live happily ever after.
I agree it is such a beautiful flim and Monica and David are so sweet!! I'm a type 1 diabetic and to watch David be so strong about it just made me feel like I should stop complaining about my shots lol. Four shots a day is hard!! And watching him do it by himself just made me cry it was awesome and I'm glad their parents back off. Love this
shareYes, this was a beautiful film. My sister has Down's Syndrome, and working in this field, I've known some other wonderful people who have it also.
The parents were great, and no family, with or without a person with special needs, is perfect of course. I am a good, but not perfect parent, so this is not a criticism. But, there were some things that were sad, and made me wonder at how much their lives were restricted, even though they were married. Many people with special needs, but far fewer skills than Monica and David, work and lead their lives with much greater freedom, while still being safe, supervised and protected.
When the family moves to live right on the beach, seems that from every room there is a view of it, and yet, Monica and David are not allowed to go down and just be outdoors, walking or standing at the beach. There is a scene where they look out the window and discuss this; they accept and don't question Mom's rule. That would be so frustrating to be inside, constantly seeing the shore and knowing that you were never allowed to go out there when you wanted to, though everyone else could easily do so.
And, work. Their plan to work at the Publix supermarket chain as some of their disabled friends did was quickly vetoed by both mothers. When they moved and interviewed with a program, the staff person mentioned a few community jobs that clients were doing, but I would guess that those would be out of the question for Monica and David, too, because of both moms' views on that. So, the movie ended by saying that they had not yet been able to find work. That seemed frustrating and sad, too. Everyone needs a purpose in life, something to do, no matter how simple. Seemed as if there now is nothing for them except to hang around the condo with Mom and retired Stepdad, who were kind and good, but still, everyone needs something meaningful to do in life.
I can say that I am ignorant about mental disabilities and Down's Syndrom. I loved this film because it really opened my eyes and gave me a better insight about those that have it. I do know there is a wide spectrum for what a person with it can do but to see this was awesome.
Having a physical disability myself, I can relate to the over protectiveness. I understand their parents love them very much and have sacrificed a lot, but sometimes smothering, sheltering, and overprotecting can be mistaken as love and can only hinder a person with a disability.
I really wished their parents let them be more independent and gave them the skills they need. Just from the film, I could see they are capable of so much more than what their parents let them do. They may not have all of the mental capabilities as everyone else, but they are not little kids either.
I also did not understand the whole "move to the beach" but don't let them go out, then what was the point?
I was thinking as well while watching it that Monica is a person I could be friends with, then I realized that the only friends they have are others like them. I understand about having friends with the same disability, like a community, but it's healthy as well to expand your friendship pool.
It did break my heart about the topic of wanting a child. Having a disability, I am physically capable to have a child and raise a child, yet, others feel the need to "share" their opinions about something that is personal and does not concern them. I know that is different than Monica and David's situation of whether they could be efficient parents or not. All I know is I have no place to ever say to someone whether they should be a parent or not.
What I could see is how much love they'd have for a child, more so than some "capable" parents out there today. If it is better for them not to have a child, then I hope that their hearts can be fulfilled with something else to fill that void.
Overall, this was a great film and it did expand my mind, I hope others are able to watch this as well. I wish Monica and David a happy life together!
Agreed, before seeing this film, I feel I was fairly clueless about Downs Syndrome and what a life with it would entail. This movie was so beautiful and so sweet and genuine. So incredible. So inspiring. I wish them both so much happiness.
A postnote, my boyfriend and I were curious as to what they had been up to since this film and it appears that they are now doing theater in Florida. So awesome. Go Monica and David.
" And it is in the humble opinion of this narrator that strange things happen all the time "
This movie really touched me. I was crying like a baby during the wedding and when the family was discussing how happy they were for Monica and David. I believe it was Monica's mom who said something like "what is more natural than falling in love and wanting to get married?" It really hit home for me as a gay male who just married my partner of 6 years. My own father couldn't come to the wedding because he couldn't support his son. It was just incredibly uplifting to see Monica and David getting 100% support from their parents and other family. I was just so happy for them, and yes, even a little jealous. I hope they have a wonderful and long marriage!
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