jenniefahn

Brian Donovan shares a touching, heartfelt tribute to a person that many who are branded as 'typical' would not have had the privilege of meeting. His pure, unadulterated love for his sister Kelly - a person as pure and unfiltered as anyone can possibly be - is a reminder that everyone deserves love, care, respect, happiness, kindness, and to be made to feel special now and then. Along the way, we also meet the other people in Brian's life - his mother, his father (who happens to also have a disability), and his wonderful cast of friends, roommates, and the women who would like to be more permanent partners. Brian has a lot of love to give - but in this wonderfully human and honest film, the relationships reveal that love can be complicated and not always easily shared. Ultimately, the film will fill your heart and serve as a reminder that star power does not come from what you look or sound like on the outside, but from the joy you bring to others from your heart.

I was accidentally drawn into this story, rife with compelling and fascinating characters, and then realized the subject matter at hand and was completely riveted. This is a subject that most people are probably not familiar with, yet the people in the story are so relate-able, and marvelously captured, it makes the matter of the 'apology' most impactful. Everyone should watch this beautiful and consequential film, and make sure the legacy of these women is not forgotten.

"Surviving New Year's" was an unexpected surprise: extremely realistic, wonderfully acted, and very well-directed - watching this little gem of a film is like being an fly on the wall at a fun-then-awkward new year's eve party... emotional and memorable. Hand-held documentary camera work adds to the realism, as well as the improvised style of dialogue. Although the film is brief (which makes it a perfect choice when short on time), it never feels rushed or abbreviated in any way. The director allowed his actors to take their time, while developing thoroughly rich relationships between the characters. Want to see more from these actors and director!