I Am Breathing

U.K. filmmakers Emma Davie and Morag McKinnon captured the last year in the life of Neil Platt, a Scottish-born architect and young husband and father, who fell victim to inherited motor neuron disease (ALS) while still in his 30s (the pragmatic Neil had thought that, at worst, the fatal condition would strike him down in his 50s, as it had with his father). Gradually, relentlessly, the scourge takes away his power to walk, use his hands, or even move without assistance. Neil still maintains (via painstaking and buggy software word-processing interfaces) a widely read online blog, documenting his story and condition with mordant wit, a love for his wife Louise and toddler son Oscar, and a lack of self-pity. Much of his worry—besides how long he can hold out before directing that he be taken off his respirator—revolves around leaving tangible mementos of himself for Oscar, so that the growing boy will be able to experience a father he will never personally know. A powerful and inspirational portrait of an indomitable spirit, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)