The Crash Reel

hbo

 

Once in a while, I see a film that is so transformative, I wish I could make everyone watch it. The Crash Reel is exactly that. It is a fucking gem in every way and I want you to make every effort to see it.

The Crash Reel is a documentary about a fearless young snowboarder, Kevin Pearce, who has a terrible wipe-out just before the winter Olympics in 2010. The accident leaves Kevin with a traumatic brain injury and limitations that he refuses to accept, but ultimately lead him to advocate for people with brain injuries and other disabilities.

It’s a riveting, emotional and thought-provoking film, beautiful to watch, and filled with heart-wrenching moments that compel you to think about your own family and your own reactions to adversity.

I watched The Crash Reel twice: alone the first time, and then with my husband. The first time, I was overwhelmed by all the emotion but uplifted by all the palpable love on display. The next time, I found too many parallels in my own situation as the mother of both a dare-devil and a child with special needs. I wished that my own story was more positive. I wished that our love could have triumphed over everything.

But still, seeing that there is satisfaction in helping others is inspiring. Seeing a family pull together like this one is beautiful beyond words.

Finally, apart from all its artistry, this documentary is an effective discourse on head injuries. Be careful, and #loveyourbrain!

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This entry was posted in Art, Horrible Stuff, love and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

8 Responses to The Crash Reel

  1. Winter Bird says:

    I saw it. The little brother who, ironically, won all the medals in the Special Olympics is my hero. I want to hold him in my arms forever and a day. I want that family. That is the family we all should of had.

  2. Sister Wolf says:

    Winter Bird – Yes, me too, me too on every word. My husband felt the same. xoxoxoxo

  3. Suspended says:

    I’ll have to try and track this down. Hopefully Netflix will pick it up.

  4. daisy says:

    I saw a special showing of this film and actually met Kevin. The way his family rallied around him was just amazing. And the way he accepted their help was even more amazing. I too wish love could always overcome heartache but that just isn’t the way the world is – at least my world.

  5. Bevitron says:

    I want to see this, I need to see this. Depression and hopelessness are commandeering my life these days and maybe this could help. Love you Sister Wolf.

  6. Queen Marie says:

    As you bid Sister, I’m going to go and hunt this down right now!

    Queen Marie
    x

  7. Sister Wolf says:

    Bevitron – Sorry to hear this. Try hard to stick around! xoxoxo

  8. Rob says:

    I watched this movie last week after reading about it here and I loved it. As Winter Bird said, Kevin’s family is the one we all should of had.

    Thank you, Sister Wolf, for recommending this. I probably would have passed it by if it hadn’t had your recommendation. Between this and your recommendation of the Toynbee tile documentary, I will happily watch anything that gets your seal of approval.

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