Joni

It's a kind a waste of time because it's all about religion and faith.

This movie was made very uniquely...in that Joni Earickson played herself (while she was paralysed, as you might guess).

Her two autobiographies (she has written other books also) are "Joni" and "Choices, Changes". The first bis what the movie is based on, the second is about her time making the movie and meeting her now-husband of 15+ years.

The movie shows Joni jump into a lake, then brake her neck. It follows her struggles with being sorry for herself and her rise to become an internationally renowned speaker. She also is a strong Christian. Her faith acts as a thread, tying her struggles and triumphs together.

If you want drama, you've got it. Suspense, you've got it.

Romance? - here it is

Directed with heart and a taste for what real living is....

you've read Jonathan's take, On

JONI!!!

I guess there was no one better to tell the story of Joni Earacksen Tada than herself. So like Audie Murphy got to play himself in his autobiographical film, Ms. Tada gets to do her own story.

In 1967 Ms. Tada while diving smacked into a platform abd sustained a broken neck. She became a quadriplegic and learned to function that way. She was an equestrian before that accident, but learned to develop another talent while being paralyzed. You'll have to watch the film to see what it is.

Joni Eareckson Tada is a fine teller of her own story. Joni is a film for more than church basements.

It almost goes without saying that this is a nice and inspiring story. I say that because most people who view this VHS know who Joni Eareckson (Tada) is before they watch this 1980 story of her amazing life. Christians, I assume, are the ones who know about this woman and how she turned a tragedy into a very powerful witness to God.

Joni plays herself in this movie while the rest of the cast are professional actors. She's a so- so actress but her story is so extraordinary I didn't find myself getting concerned about her acting. The only problem I had with the film was that was a tad too slow. Watching almost two hours of a woman in physical rehabilitation is not easy!

Yes, she is an incredible woman - and continues to be today - but there are a number of frustrating and depressing moments in the film as we see her grapple, mentally, physically and spiritually with trying to cope with being almost totally paralyzed. I just cannot fathom what she, and others like her, has gone through. You get some sense of that in this film.

I would strongly recommend this film to anyone who has suffered a major physical setback in their life. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who has overcome them as well as Joni, so this movie could be a great encourager for you. (It would help if someone would release this on DVD!)

Also - for anyone - I would recommend reading some of Joni's books, check out her artwork and just - if nothing else - learn a little about what makes this woman tick. It might just turn your life around, too.

This movie tugs on your heart like 3-pound nylon and a bonefish lure. Every girl I knew in 1980 owned the 'Joni' book. My favorite part is when Joni draws with the pen in her mouth. In conclusion, I like pens.