Family Matters

"Hollywood likes families that have to deal with disabilities. Films like Rain Man let actors garner praise for playing characters who triumph despite mental and physical impairments. But real life is often less sunny.Bob Fink's film Wally chronicles one such family. The title character of Fink's documentary is a 56-year-old man who was born with mental retardation and cerebral palsy. With the help of family and neighbors he has managed to achieve some independence and happiness, but his parents' unexpected deaths threaten his limited stability. Wally's sister has promised to help him, but her husband is unwilling to let her make the sacrifice. It's the first film for the 57-year-old director, who has spent most of his professional life as a psychiatrist. Fink always aspired to filmmaking, and his mental-health expertise and sensitivity inform the production, even as he allows his subjects to speak for themselves. Though it can't promise a Hollywood ending, Wally makes it clear that bravery often isn't a choice."

-Chris Glenn