Blink

Powerful stuff! If a film presentation can be heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time (and why couldn't one be, now that I reconsider?) this fascinating 83 minutes on Hulu is it.

The brilliantly titled "Blink" (do it too often in life and you'll miss it), this French Canadian true-story documents the agonizing yet amazingly-generous gift from two parents to their four children, three of whom are quickly losing their sense of sight. As they travel to various locations on our planet (while we tag along), they attempt to give those kids visual memories to carry with them after their eyes can no longer do that job.

As painfully-sad as that sounds, there is a undeniable sense of positivity and fortitude here. Amongst the gorgeous scenery, brilliant and emotional scoring, and insightful-without-being-invasive cinematography we see a growth of strength and acceptance develop in the children. As a father, it was the strength of the parents that especially impressed me. I would've been a blubbering pile of goo in a corner somewhere, but these two stayed the course, always worked as a cohesive team, gave every ounce of determination they had, and loved their children at a level not many could achieve during an ordeal like this.

PS - Bring Kleenex.

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.

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.

This is undeniably one of the most poignant and heart-touching documentaries of the year. It confronts a deeply emotional and universal truth: one day, parents may discover something unexpected in their children-a diagnosis that feels more devastating than facing their own mortality. The thought of your most precious loved one enduring a debilitating condition is one of life's most challenging tests.

For those who are not parents, it may be difficult to fully grasp the emotional depth of such a situation, and their inability to empathize might explain why some may underrate this documentary. But as someone who recognizes the profound courage it takes to navigate such trials, I see this film as a beacon of resilience and hope.

The Pelletier family, faced with an unimaginable reality and no available treatment, chose to channel their energy into creating this documentary. It's their way of doing the only thing they can-raising awareness and inspiring others in similar circumstances. Such films are more than just stories; they serve as a source of hope, a testament to human strength, and a guide for standing tall in the face of adversity.

Thank you, Pelletier family, for your bravery in sharing your journey with the world. This documentary will undoubtedly light the way for others who find themselves in similar situations. To those leaving harsh or dismissive comments: your negativity reflects more about your own struggles than the value of this incredible work. Let's focus on the strength, hope, and compassion this documentary represents.

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.