Daruma

If you're looking for a movie about family, fatherhood and FORGIVENESS ahead of the holiday season this is the movie for you. I cannot believe that this gem of a movie has flown under the radar for as long as it has but I heard about it through word of mouth (like most indie films!) and I am so glad I rented it. It's been recommended to me by a few people now and I don't usually post reviews but this is a really special film and it deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. It reminded me a lot of the early 2000s indie films like Little Miss Sunshine and captured that vibe of poignancy and optimism and maybe that is something we all need right now. The central theme of the movie is kindness - to be kind to yourself and to others. In addition to weaving really complex story lines, there is a gentleness to this film. It's like a warm hug and it will stay with you for days afterward as you think about all the little details and character quirks. Fantastic acting, amazing writing and directed incredibly well. This is the feel good film of the year. Do not miss it.

Uniformly excellent performances as the charm of a young child helps an angry, disabled man find redemption. The story arc is rather predictable, though it is very well written. One problem (which would be insignificant for many viewers, but as a frequent cross-country traveler, kept interrupting my engagement with the film) is that the time-sensitive cross-country trip from Arizona/Southern California to Providence, RI is shown to progress primarily on "back roads" -- this approach versus taking interstate highways makes for some very beautiful scenic shots, but the unrealistic nature of this, as well as some seemingly inconsistent topographical continuity, kept throwing me out of the film's believability.

I've seen this film twice now (once on the festival circuit and then in person in LA at a screening) and I loved it even more the second time I saw it (if that's even possible). Everything about this film: from the acting, to the writing, to the cinematography, to the determination of the filmmakers to get it made and out into the world is a triumph of independent filmmaking. It's so hard to make a movie and even more so to make one that stars authentically cast actors but this film does it and does it exceptionally well. If you want to support authentic storytelling and indie filmmaking, please check out this film. Everything in Hollywood is based on sequels and big set pieces but this movie is like a throwback to that wonderful time in the late 1990s and early 2000s where films were centered on characters and their stories. It's like the film's tagline: fall down seven times, get up eight. Maybe the success of this film can help encourage others to make films like this and demonstrate an audience for this kind of storytelling. Well done to everyone involved.

Daruma is a triumph of authentic storytelling. As a disabled woman, it's rare to see characters who reflect not just my experiences but my complexities, dreams, and flaws (and desires!!!!). This isn't a story about disability-it's a story about friendship, resilience, and confronting life's messy moments. The bond between Patrick and Robert is deeply human and emotionally raw, capturing the frustrations, humor, and beauty of their journey. Watching this film felt like being truly seen, not for my disability, but for the person I am beyond it. The performances are nuanced and magnetic, drawing you into a narrative that's as relatable as it is moving. Daruma doesn't preach; it connects. It's a film I'll carry with me, grateful for the way it made me laugh, cry, and, most importantly, feel seen.

Don't miss this authentic movie. It's a refreshing change from others in the same genre - the cast is real, the story is touching, and the ending worked for me! It's nice to watch something so well made and that doesn't leave you wishing you had rented or bought something else instead. It's long enough to be an evening, but not overly so, and the scenery is great. I especially liked the scenes with the (very) young child, being a sentimental person myself. Touching but not cloying. I found myself alternating between disliking the main characters and really liking them alot! A milestone, breaking the stereotypes movie!