For Love of Julian

In the final weeks of filmmaker Meira Blaustein's pregnancy, a rare complication resulted in the delivery of a severely brain-damaged child, launching her and husband/editor Laurent Rejto on an emotional parenting odyssey. Narrated by Susan Sarandon, For Love of Julian chronicles their life-altering experiences with raising Julian, a multiply handicapped child who would never be able to walk, reach for a toy, or respond with anything his parents could recognize as love or joy. While Blaustein's decision to document Julian's terribly compromised life over his first six years has helped lend meaning to her own struggles, this heartbreaking film also features interviews with teachers, social workers, and other parents of similarly handicapped children. Ending on a hopeful note, the program visits New York's Center for Discovery at the Sullivan Diagnostic Treatment Center, a residential program where Julian has lived for the past four years together with 80-plus other children. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (A. Cantú)