If you get the chance to see this movie, take it.
'So Much So Fast' is a documentary filmed over the course of 5 years about a family's love, a brother's determination and one young man's will to live.Stephen Heywood finds out he has ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He is 29 years old and is given less than 5 years to live.
His younger brother Jamie refuses to believe that this deadly disease cannot be cured or slowed. He quits his job to start a foundation to try and find a cure, or a drug that can prolong the life of an ALS patient.
Eventually Jamie convinces mainstream drug companies to work with him and with the ALS drugs on the market.
Some scientists are threatened by Jamie, a non-scientist, and his research. Some think he is in over his head, or that he does not have the credentials to accomplish such a feat. But that doesn't stop Jamie. After a few years of being buried shoulder deep with his brother's troubles and the foundation, his wife leaves him. Still, Jamie will not be deterred. He shows the love for his brother and a bond that some people never have and those of us that do will appreciate this film.
Over the next five years you see Stephen's body deteriorate, but not his will to live. Stephen goes from being a vivacious young man who just made the decision to marry and have a child despite his future challenges to a weakend, slurring man unable to function without his $26,000 wheelchair.Eventually Stephen has no controls over his body or his speech.
He must use a voice synthesizer to
speak, his head to control his chair.Stephen says at one point that even if he becomes fully paralyzed he wants to live. There is so much to see.
On the 5 year anniversary of his diagnosis he makes the decision to be put on a respirator. If he did not do so, eventually he would lose the function of his lungs and he would die.
When asked what Stephen would do years prior had he known he would get the disease he replies, "Have more sex on film".
Stephen should be inspiring to us all. His amazing bravery and love should be seen by all.I love independant/Sundance/indie films and am so glad that I got to review this movie. I had tears in my eyes through many parts of it. You can't help but love this family and this story.
Spicy gives 'So Much So Fast' a definite Thumbs Up. >>> See the trailer HERE <<<
Official Website
PLAYING IN NEW YORK
OCTOBER 11 thru 17
At the Village East Theater
PLAYING IN BOSTON
OCTOBER 27 thru NOVEMBER 2
At the West Newton Cinema
For more, click SCREENINGS