The Brooke Ellison Story (2004)

I did not know anything about Brooke Ellison before my viewing of this, so I can't talk about how accurate it is. I have not read the book, either. With a subject like this, it can easily degenerate into a manipulative mess, so jam-packed with high-concentrate corn that you might need to have it surgically removed afterwards. This manages to steer clear of that, at least almost completely. Whether it be constant vigilance or some other cause, they produced a movie that is honestly an inspiring tale(crap, now I sound cheesy). The plot is well-written, and develops nicely. The acting is all quite good, and Chabert definitely delivers a solid performance. I can imagine that Reeves connected to this story on a deep and personal level, which could help explain why it's so well-directed. This wasn't as bleak as it could be, and ends up practically being a feel-good flick. I also found this to have somewhat less drama than, well, than what one might expect from the, you know, genre(as well as what it deals with). But hey, if this was closer to how it happened, and they didn't feel the need to add more, then they did exactly what they should. I recommend this to anyone who wants a well-done film about being a quadriplegic, that isn't dark and that anyone, of nearly any age, can watch. 7/10

This story hit home with me because I had an uncle that was paralyzed and i would help my grandmother take care of him. Know one knows what it is like to know someone that is paralyzed and what they go through until you have been their or you know someone that is paralyzed. It really hit home with me, because now I have a bad back and it could paralyze me if I have the surgery, so I won't have it done. But every time the Brooke Ellison movie is on I watch it no matter what time it is on. Because if she can do all that she has done and accomplished then I can do the same thing. The song that is sung in the movie I would like to know where you can find it and what the name of the song is and who sings it, it is a beautiful song I would love to have that song because when I would feel down I could listen to that song and it would build me back up and make me thank of the movie and make me thank of life more and make me thank of my 2 wonderful boys i have. Thank You Brooke for the courage that you have gave me and many others. Thank You again and God Bless.

This movie was too amazing to be down-sized by a couple of words. When I heard about this movie, I was very anxious to see it. I watched Brooke Ellison on Larry King a few days later, and I thought she was such an amazing person. The cast of this movie was outstanding. I forgot that I was watching a movie, I felt like it was the real thing. Christopher Reeve shone as a director, and no one will question his talent or work, the movie speaks for itself. I think this was just amazing and incredible. In the movie, Brooke Ellison's mother, Jean, told Brooke, "You can either contribute to this world or be paralyzed. The choice is yours." Brooke Ellison decided to contribute to this world, despite her disabilities, and I am sure she has inspired many people with spinal-cord injuries to make something of themselves. Brooke Ellison even inspires those of us without injuries to be the best we can be and Brooke's Story teaches us that we can't be paralyzed by the small things in life. We must keep going and enduring the pain while we continue on life's journey. Because, tragedy or triumph, pain or sadness, life is going to continue. Brooke Ellison is the type of person who proves how strong women are. The story also does a wonderful job of proving how strong a family can be. Brooke's accident could have easily torn her family apart, but they stayed together and grew closer than ever. With unconditional love and support from her family, and the undeniable love her mother, Brooke Ellison was able to go to Harvard and graduate summa cum laude from Harvard University, a huge challenge for anyone, disability or not. I wish Brooke Ellison the best of luck and I recommend that everyone watch The Brooke Ellison Story. *Christopher Reeve will be missed but he accomplished life's purpose, he spent live working to have something that would outlast it.*

Besides his obvious qualities as a human being, Christopher Reeve was an artist. He didn't cash in on his Superman status by choosing the pretty-boy cash-attractive roles that were unendingly open to him after his flight in tights as the Man of Steel. Instead, he chose various, divergent parts, in movies that, though not always successful, were, almost without exception, striving for something of meaning. His final artistic effort, Brooke Ellison, is a classy coda to a career of serious artistic searching and a life of unquestioned transcendancy. How sad that someone like Christopher Reeve must leave while others unworthy ride around on the freeway screaming with bulging eyes and flashing the finger at every inefficient lane change. He would have smiled at the injustice.