Frankie Fenton’s inspiring documentary serves up a portrait of Simon Fitzmaurice, an aspiring Irish filmmaker who fulfilled a dream despite ALS-inflicted paralysis. Combining archival footage and stills together with interviews of Fitzmaurice’s wife Ruth, family, and friends, as well as passages from Fitzmaurice’s own 2014 titular memoir (gracefully read by Colin Farrell), It’s Not Yet Dark sketches Simon’s life from childhood up through his success in film school, building a family with Ruth (with several children), and terrible diagnosis. The film follows Fitzmaurice’s struggle to deal with increasing weakness while trying to make his first feature film. Employing the same technology that enabled the late Stephen Hawking to remain productive despite the debilitation wrought by ALS, Fitzmaurice managed to write and direct My Name is Emily (2015) and pen a memoir. Brimming with both humor and soulful observation, Fenton’s life-affirming film pays winning tribute to a determined individual whose lovely marriage flourished in the face of adversity. Earning its tears and smiles, this heartfelt film is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
It’s Not Yet Dark
(2017) 80 min. DVD: $19.95, Blu-ray: $24.95. FilmRise (avail. from most distributors).
It’s Not Yet Dark
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