Driven: From Wheelchair to Race Car

Filmmaker Brian Malone's fascinating and enthralling Driven illustrates how unrelenting determination and the latest scientific breakthroughs can overlap and create a powerful emotional victory. Central to the film is Mike Bauer, a performer and athlete whose life was interrupted by a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed. Despondent to the point of suicide, Bauer received a new lease on life thanks to the work of Dr. Scott Falci, a rehabilitative neurosurgeon and auto racing enthusiast. Recognizing Bauer's will to literally get his life back into the fast lane, Falci designed a racing car with special adaptive controls for someone who was paraplegic, a project that led to the birth of a new company, Falci Adaptive Motorsports, which encourages competitive driving by paraplegics and quadriplegics. Driven underscores the fact that disability is not synonymous with inability, while the can-do attitudes of Falci and Bauer are infectiously inspiring. Even for viewers with little or no interest in auto racing, the documentary serves up an invaluable lesson on overcoming obstacles through patience, planning, and the support of positive individuals. DVD extras include bonus shorts on the building of Bauer's first racing car and his breakthrough test lap, and a photo gallery. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)