Daruma

I loved this film. It is filled with heart and humor. The characters are grounded in reality and flawed - like all of us.

The story is raw and honest. We've all been through the dark night of the soul- and director Alexander Yellen captures lead character Patrick's (played beautifully by Tobias Forrest)deep existential crisis.

Kelli McNeil's writing is strong and funny, and the pace keeps the audience engaged.

One of my favorite parts of the film is how beautifully it is shot. The soundtrack is surprisingly vibrant and upbeat.

Finally, it is a film that addresses the complexities of family and life ALONG with inclusive messaging. People have disabilities. Some are invisible, and some are visible. I am not in a wheelchair. One of my dearest friends is in a wheelchair, and guess what-his life is as real, important, valid, passionate, and complex as mine.

Support independent art and see this beautifully shot and told story!

This is a deeply moving film that struck a personal chord with me as the son of a disabled veteran (the lead characters are also disabled veterans). The performances, especially from the hero Patrick, who's in a wheel chair, and his neighbor Robert, with hooks instead of hands, felt raw and genuine. Patrick starts off as a total jerk but still becomes endearing as the plot moves along. The little girl was also surprisingly good and the road trip scenes were beautifully shot. While the film isn't perfect, it's a beautiful story that made me laugh and got me choked up a couple of times so I can easily forgive the flaws.

Daruma is a heartfelt and refreshingly authentic road trip film that left a lasting impression on me. The story follows Patrick, a man with disabilities who unexpectedly becomes the sole guardian of his young daughter, Camilla. Unable to care for her alone, he embarks on a cross-country journey with his neighbor, Robert, to reunite Camilla with her grandparents.

What makes Daruma stand out is its commitment to authentic representation. Tobias Forrest and John W. Lawson, both actors with disabilities, bring genuine depth to their roles, portraying complex, fully realized characters rather than stereotypes. Their chemistry is fantastic, and Abigail Hawk as Camilla adds warmth and heart to their journey.

The film beautifully balances humor, emotional depth, and themes of resilience and family, all set against stunning road trip cinematography. It's a moving and well-crafted story that proves independent filmmaking can be just as impactful-if not more so-than big-budget productions. A must-watch for anyone who loves character-driven stories with real heart.

Uniformly excellent performances as the charm of a young child helps an angry, disabled man find redemption. The story arc is rather predictable, though it is very well written. One problem (which would be insignificant for many viewers, but as a frequent cross-country traveler, kept interrupting my engagement with the film) is that the time-sensitive cross-country trip from Arizona/Southern California to Providence, RI is shown to progress primarily on "back roads" -- this approach versus taking interstate highways makes for some very beautiful scenic shots, but the unrealistic nature of this, as well as some seemingly inconsistent topographical continuity, kept throwing me out of the film's believability.

I don't want to post any spoilers but if you've got kids (especially daughters) keep a box of tissues handy when you watch this movie because you will need them. I have a young daughter and watching Patrick go through the steps he needed to go through in order to become not only a better man but the man and the DAD that Camilla needed was cathartic and painful at the same time. I was watching him and watching his struggles (the actor who played him was very good too) and then watching his neighbor own up to his own mistakes with HIS own family... wow. I did not expect such depth and nuance from an indie film like this. It was really well done and I will be thinking about it for days to come.