Blink

I'm not sure if it was way the family was portrayed, or the lack of actual scenic footage, this movie did not appeal to me.

We learn about a family and that 3 of 4 children has a degenerative vision disease that will eventually rob them of their eyesight, so the parents decide to go on a journey around the world so the kids can enjoy everything in person, rather than looking at it in a book.

While the concept of this movie is appealing, the execution wasn't so great. The trailer made you expect spectacular scenery throughout, but instead we are mainly watching the kids and parents talking and playing. It essentially comes across as a home movie rather than a National Geographic production. A lot of the places they apparently visited, are glossed over, not even shown in photos.

I want to wish the family well, and I hope the proceeds of this film go towards the research for a cure, but definitely this was more suited to the small screen like on the TLC channel, than in a movie theatre.

With three of their young family on a declining spiral of sight loss, the Pelletier's decide to try to take something positive from the time they have left together when they can all see and visit some of the most impressive, interesting, colourful and exciting places on Earth. For the next eighty minutes or so, we follow their adventure as they take to the water and to the skies, appreciate some of the greatest natural phenomena, and probably most importantly - they have fun as a family who all know that things will soon be much less enjoyable and care-free. The parents - Édith Lemay and Sébastian Pelletier carry out quite a juggling act as they strive to create an ordinary, unexceptional environment for their youngsters whilst always conscious of what travails are yet to come. Clearly, money doesn't seem to be an issue here, and so Mia, Léo, Colin and Laurent can embark on their travelogue enthusiastically - and at times that zeal for life and for each other proves a powerful fillip for all, including us. The photography is artfully delivered showcasing some of the astonishing features that grace this world, and the conversation is restricted to snippets of chat rather than any more formal narration, and I thought that worked well - even if, at times, I felt a little like an eavesdropper. Obviously not everyone has the resources to react to an upcoming trauma as these people did, but it's not really the scale of their Phileas Fogg-ness that stands out, it's the fact that as a family, and a largely aware one at that, they manage to navigate their trip - tantrums and all - in a fashion that provides hope for a future that will be different, but will also be peppered with memories they will never forget and that will be built on pretty solid familial foundations.

Like all parents, Edith Lemay and Sebastien Pelletier want to give their kids Mia, age eleven, nine-year-old Leo, Colin, age six and four-year-old Laurent the entire world. Leo is the imaginative one. Mia acts like a second mother. Colin is, they say 'a little weird'. And Laurent is their 'little philosopher'.

But unlike most kids, the world of three of the four will eventually be reduced to a small visual field, if not total darkness. Mia, Colin and Laurent have all be diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. There is no cure. The cells in their retinas are slowly dying so only the center will remain, should they have any vision at all.

The family, who call Montreal home, are learning to cope with what will certainly be a challenging future. They have been preparing the kids to deal with their fates. Now, you may think that Blink, the documentary feature about the Pelletier family, sounds bleak. But it is nothing of the sort, because instead of letting grief overwhelm them, Edith and Sebastien have chosen to fill their children's visual memory banks with images of the world. In that way, they hope they'll recollect what things look like when their world goes dark.

They begin the process by having their kids make a bucket list of wishes, which becomes the backbone of an adventure that takes them around the globe. And, in Blink, we join them on their beautiful journey. Obviously, almost no one would be able to afford an extended trip like this. Sebastian was fortunate in that his company was sold, enabling the family to begin their year of being nomads.

First up on the bucket list: a safari. Then, travel on a sleeper train, eat ice cream, ride horses in Mongolia. Learn how to surf. All the while, banking memories they will be able to smell, hear and see with their mind's eye, when their eyesight fails. Already, two of the kids are unable to see in the dark - they cannot even see the stars.

On a $200/day budget, they and the filmmakers lived among locals in hostels, homestays and campgrounds. They traveled by public bus and train. They hiked the Himalayas with guides, swam in roiling rivers, got lost, got stuck in cable cars. It wasn't perfect, but that's not what the family wanted. The film is told, not from a Fodor's guide to travel, but matter-of-factly from a child's guide to our big blue marble.

Rather than high-end cuisine, we're exploring ant hills and street food. A bite of a frozen candy bar sometimes is all that's needed to put a smile on a tear-streaked face. Edith, all the while prepping her kids for what a future without sight will be like, while encouraging them to continue living, and fight against the dying of the light.

An official selection of numerous worldwide film festivals, Blink is currently available for streaming on NatGeo, Hulu and Disney+.

I feel privileged to have traveled through the adventures, with this incredibly brave family!

I found the film to be awe inspiring and an emotional roaler coaster of terrifying travels to dlightful simple joys to watch, as they fulfilled each of their childens dreams.

As a parent and grandparent my heart aches for the children, as the must navigate the unknown, yet their parents have set them up in the most extraordinary way possible for their life challenges as they age and grow.

I highly recommend viewing it with your children aged 8 or above to open conversation on the complexities of life.

Approached this with a slightly heavy heart the moment I realized it's a documentary based on a real family and their lives.

Talking about fictional stories inspired by reality is one thing - but this right here is a lot tougher. Because you're witnessing something you'd never want to imagine for yourself, yet real people out there have actually experienced it and have strived through it with unimaginable strength.

It's a tale of parental love and family bonding - a happy family whose world comes crashing down when they find out that three of their kids are diagnosed with a serious illness.

But the parents make it their mission to give them an experience of a lifetime, fulfilling even the smallest of their dreams.

It beautifully highlights just how far our parents can go to see us happy - even in the most challenging times - while also living parts of their own dreams through us.

It's emotional, gut-wrenchingly painful, yet incredibly inspiring. And somehow, it also carries a warm, feel-good vibe - especially when you look at the kids, always excited, always smiling. It fills your heart with so much joy.

Even when they're on the verge of losing something so precious, they carry a brave spirit. And the way they hold on to their childlike innocence while developing their own kind of maturity - it's truly heartwarming to see.

A huge testament to their strength, and to the importance of having each other's back no matter what.

Left me teary-eyed, but with a smile on my face.

Definitely urge as many people as possible to watch this heartfelt, memorable tale of love, family, and adventure.

Now streaming on JioHotstar.