Without stooping to sentimentality, filmmaker Tal Skloot's PBS-aired documentary profiles a remarkable athlete-activist who refuses to let his handicap prevent him from having an active life. California's Bob Coomber lost the use of his legs due to complications from Type-1 diabetes. Nonetheless, even with the risk of insulin shock, he persists in hiking difficult trails in a rugged wheelchair (returning to the Kearsarge Pass in the Sierra Nevada with the dogged persistence of Ahab chasing Moby Dick). Bob also takes part in local councils and advisory boards. Along with its stereotype-busting portrait, the film gingerly raises issues of how society as a whole views the disabled (or even the beyond-middle-aged), as the resilient Coomber finds himself unable to gain employment—not even sedentary work in the IT field—and must turn to prolific freelance writing to have an income. DVD extras include bonus scenes, with Coomber participating in a marathon. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)
4 Wheel Bob
(2018) 56 min. DVD: $99.95: high schools & public libraries; $269: colleges & universities. Tritone Films. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 33, Issue 5
4 Wheel Bob
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: