I am a big fan of documentaries. I know some people cringe at the thought of having to watch one, but I personally enjoy them. I think they are a wonderful way to learn about new things. I’m all for continuing to educate yourself – even if it’s through film.
Now showing in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles is the film Best and Most Beautiful Things. It opened in New York on December 2nd and will be shown in Los Angeles starting on December 9th. It will be available on DVD on January 3, 2017 on Amazon, just in case you don’t live in the Los Angeles or New York (city) area.
Best and Most Beautiful Things is the documentary about a 20 year old woman named Michelle Smith. Michelle lives in rural Maine with her mother Julie. Her parents are divorced and her brothers live with her father. She does see her father on a regular basis.
Michelle is legally blind. She can see things if they are right up to her face, but she is still considered blind. In addition, Michelle was also diagnosed as having Asperger’s. Asperger’s is on the autism spectrum. It’s a higher functioning form of autism.
Michelle graduated from a school for the blind, the same school Helen Keller graduated from.
Michelle has big dreams but she feels limited by her disabilities. She’s having a hard time finding a job and she feels very isolated, often spending her entire day in her room with her doll collection.
This film explores her family background (she had a younger brother who passed away), her complex relationship with her mother (infidelities caused her parents to divorce) and her desire to fit in. She also wants to be able to live life to it’s fullest and not let her disabilities hold her back.
The film is shot over a few years in her life – from when she graduates from school to her attempt to move out to Los Angeles to become a voice actor.
There were some aspects of the film I could have done without – like how Michelle explores her sexuality, especially because it’s not in a traditional way.
It’s an interesting look into the life of someone who just wants to fit in. In a way I felt sorry for Michelle and her situation but at the same time I applauded her determination to not let her disabilities define who she is or set her back. Even when she’s scared she still found the courage to try and “break the mold.”
It’s an interesting look at her life. There are a few times that I wished they changed the focus of the film (I’d focus more on her relationship with her boyfriend instead of the kinky stuff she’s into), but overall it was an interesting portrait of this remarkable young lady.
I received a screener and there were no bonus features. There wouldn’t be in the theater. Perhaps there might be when the DVD comes out next month.
FYI… the title comes from a quote from Helen Keller…
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.
For more information about this film please visit the official website, BestandMostBeautifulThings.com. You can also find the film on social media. All of their links are found at the top of the website.
Below is the trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.