39 Pounds of Love

I saw 39 Pounds of Love at the Edmonton film festival. I wasn't sure what to except, however, this film far exceeded my expectations. Ami Ankilewitz, whom the documentary is about, breaks down all the established notions of what living with a "disability" is like. He is smart, adventurous, girl-crazy and really funny! The journey he goes on in the film, to make peace with himself and with others, is such a universal story that I can't imagine someone not relating to him in some way.

I left the theater with the feeling that I had experienced something really special. Top notch film-making with a truly compelling story. The visuals and music were on par with docs like Mad Hot Ballroom and My Architect. And most importantly, I think Ami's story has the potential to move people in extraordinary ways.

I don't want to give much away, so I will just say if you have the opportunity to see the film (opening in NY 11/23 at Landmark Sunshine Theatre) - GO SEE IT. You will be glad you did...

We found 39 pounds of love to be a very inspirational, sad, poignant moving, uplifting, and well presented documentary .. made us really appreciate the life we live, and recognize the power of love -- it is hard to fathom how anyone can be so hopeful in real life -- this is an excellent film that was able to capture the angst fear and hope of the main characters! we highly recommend this,, however the viewer should realize that it will not be a fun time, but a thought provoking time...Menkin did an excellent job, i read it was his first film, which is really quite amazing. I look forward to seeing other films he will produce- I think Menkin has a future in the film industry..

When you see the plot summary for "39 Pounds of Love," you quickly make up your mind that it's sure to be A. uncomfortable, B. a "freak show," C. a tear-jerker, D. something maudlin, and E. a film to avoid. Those elements are all there, except for the last one. It's tough-to-watch, freakish, occasionally mushy, but it is also a worthwhile movie, one that will stay with you for a long time.

Dani Menkin's documentary is about Texas-born Israeli-Mexican Ami Ankilewitz, who was given six years to live at birth because of muscular dystrophy, which went on quickly to ravage his body while a toddler. At 34, weighing 39 pounds, and able to move only one finger (which he uses to create animated films), Ankilewitz embarks on a voyage across the US to face the doctor, who made that early diagnosis.

Part real-time footage, part recreation (not always successful, especially in the final sequence, with the elderly Cuban doctor looking uncomfortable with the recreation of their confrontation), "39 Pounds" somehow manages to go beyond being a documentary with a message. Ankilewitz's aspiration to "normal love" will resonate with anyone ever involved in a hopeless affair, and the film maintains its integrity by telling the truth.

This picture is not for everyone,this person will keep you clued to your seat with his humor and strength, you will have to have some kind of heart or love for people to see this motion picture, it is a picture that can capture you and keep you in a state of caring, if you see it,you will never forget it, you will always remember his smile and determination to survive, he is the type of person you would like to take home, this picture will win some type of academy award, or other awards,this is one of my favorite motion pictures and I will never forget it for a long long time, please take time out of your busy day and come and look at this picture.

What's written on the poster is: "At birth he was given 6 years to live... At 34 he takes the journey of a lifetime." Ami is an American-born Israeli who was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy disease at the age of one. At age of 34, after the love toward his 22 years old care-giver didn't go well, he decided to come to the US to face the doctor who said that he would have only 6 years to live. He wanted to show the doctor that he is still alive, and weights 39 pounds. Why? Your guess is as good as mine, even I have seen this film.

Obviously it's courageous to live when all he can move is his left index finger, but why does he have so much anger toward the doctor who diagnosed his disease 34 years ago? His doctor just told his mom that based on the medical history, people with his disease won't live long. What's the point of him showing up at old doctor's door for? Why is tracking down this old doctor in the US is a journey of his lifetime? There are so many things we might be interested in Ami's life: how can he make those animations with the movement of only one finger? How can he go through daily lives while totally depending on others? How did he out lived his doctor's prediction? How does he deal emotionally when other people look at him like looking at a strange creature? The movie told us none of that. Instead, the filmmaker got a van and set up a trip to let Ami to show up at his old doctor's door in order to show him that he is still alive. I thought it was a joke.