Strong Love

The title of Bonnie Burt's documentary carries a double meaning. On one hand, it refers to the desire of Jon Shapiro and his childhood sweetheart Holly James—both born with Down syndrome—to marry, despite some misgivings among friends and relatives. On the other, it points to the fact that Jon is a world-class weightlifter, who's won several Special Olympics championships. Combining home movies and family photos, together with interviews of the couple's parents to provide background, Strong Love follows the engaging couple from their wedding preparations through the first years of their marriage, while also charting Jon's training for competition. In addition, an interesting secondary narrative thread involves Homayoun Shivaie, Jon's trainer and closest friend for more than 20 years, who has difficulty adjusting to his buddy's new situation, especially after Shapiro decides to devote less time to weightlifting and more to his wife (though Jon also gets Holly involved in training at the gym). An uplifting story (in more than one sense), winsomely told, Strong Love is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)