Gigi & Nate

I really had no expectations when stepping into the theater to see Gigi & Nate. Other than reading the blurb on my local theater's site I had no idea what this movie was about! I am so happy I saw it!

What a heartwarming story and really impressive acting! I wasn't expecting such good acting and really all of the cast did well (my favorite performance was Diane Ladd, but Charlie Rowe was impressive)!

Based on a true story and fits well in the turmoil of today's politics but on a much lighter note. Take tissues and enjoy this surprisingly beautiful story of a man and his service animal...sweet enough for the whole family to experience!

A saw " Gigi and Nate" today during Cinema Day. I knew the basic premise of the film, but didn't do any further research, and I am happy going in naked on this one.

We meet Nate, then 18 years old, cliff diving. He does a fall, walks it off, but days later with family celebrating Independence Day receives major pain and diagnosis that paralyze him for good. We do a time jump, Nate tries to kill himself in the family's koi pond, and dad, played by Jim Belushi, saves his life.

Mom realizes her son needs a companion; she gets a helper monkey. Everyone at first is not really fond or accepting of Gigi, but.as soon as Gigi starts to help out, he is more accepted.

I'm giving this a 10 star, but, and a huge but, I was not a fan of the lead, Nate. The parents and sisters were acted great, but Nate, Charles Rowe, under impressed for me. I was more taken away by Jim Belushi's performance and the young women who played his sister's. In fact, I was watching this wondering why Belushi does not do more of these roles. He can truly act, and , I just felt he is being under used.

I felt every emotion. I cried. I smiled I laughed. I shrieked. Even if the story does not sell it for you, see this for the monkey. The monkey made the sweetest faces and the fact he developed this bond with Nate was charming.

The ending, I am not saying, but was perfect. It came full circle.

So, it's cloudy and raining here in Southwest Michigan this Sunday of Labor Day weekend and we decided to go to the movies. Checked out Rotten Tomatoes. "Honk For Jesus" received 74% positive critic reviews but 25% positive audience reviews. "Gigi & Nate" got only 18% positive critics but 97% positive audience reviews !! Imdb audiences had Honk at 5.1 average rating and Gigi at 8.1 positive !!

We opted to go and see "Gigi & Nate" and concluded that we are sick and tired of critics continually trying to influence what the public goes to see at the movies. There is no reason for any critic to give this film a negative review.

It is a moving, sincere, and spirited story that Director Hamm has made with genuine feeling. As a matter of fact, he and the editors and cinematographers use the camera to make the scenes flow and ebb in a manner that only enhances the emotions and feelings of the story, particularly in the first half of the film which moves along with quick and building intensity. The excellent musical score enhances the range of emotions that you will feel as a result of what you are seeing on the screen.

All of the actors are believable and realistic. Marcia Gay Harden is wonderful and authentic, and Charlie Rowe is exceptional as her son, Nate, whose life is shattered as a result of an unfortunate swimming experience. His performance is quite remarkable, natural, and moving without being maudlin. Jim Belusi gives the finest performance we have ever seen him give as Nate's father, and everyone else in the cast, particularly Langford and Riley, as Nate's sisters, and Colletti, as his young female friend, are very good.

In its negative review of this film, one critic called Diane Ladd's role "thankless." What an insult to Ms. Ladd and to this film. Now in her mid-eighties, Ms. Ladd is still very good indeed, and her role here as Nate's grandmother is sharp and endearing.

Many critics have panned the script, but there is nothing unrealistic or predictable here. Maybe this just isn't WOKE enough for them, but, hey, this is real life and a real story.

And what can you say about the acting monkey ? Good girl - nice job.

All in all, this is a moving and entertaining film that Hamm has done with sincere, careful, and excellent flair. Beautifully acted, beautifully filmed and scored, and nicely written. A rewarding movie experience.

The reason I watched this movie is due to the cute, lovely and awesome Gigi :-) I saw the trailer and though the Capuchin was adorable. But little did I know was a hidden message and story behind this.

If you love animals and love wonderful stories, then watch this.

You won't regret seeing this movie.

Everyone were playing their parts really well, but I feel the main star in this movie were the Capuchin. So adorable.

The message we get from this movie is HOPE, to not let go. Even if you are in the middle of a bloody storm, and you think you will never see the sunlight, YOU WILL SEE THE SUNLIGHT!

The story of a mothers love for her children, for the endless sacrifices parents do for their kids. Sacrifices not only parents do for their kids, but also the entire family do for each other. It was truly a wonderful movie.

You will laugh, cry, get motivated and become angry seeing this movie. You will experience all the emotions.

100% you should see this movie.

Some say this movie is based on a real young man and his helper monkey. I prefer the term "inspired by" because so much of the story is changed for this movie. The one constant is that the young man was accidentally paralyzed and an organization that trains service animals provided a capuchin helper monkey. In this movie she is named Gigi. But names, family dynamics, locations, and method of paralysis are all fictional, as are most of the interactions portrayed.

But none of that matters in appreciating the movie. It deals authentically with a real subject and the difficulties of a partially incapicated person. Including military veterans, some featured in the movie, who were wounded, many with missing limbs.

Also the last parts of the movie, depicting the protests and the hearings to see if legislation will be advanced to prohibit use of monkeys as service animals. Today the organization, Helping Hands, no longer trains capuchin monkeys mainly due to pressure from animal rights groups, as well as concerns over health and safety. These factors resulted in federal and state governments changing the laws to make it difficult or impossible to have a monkey as a service animal. In 2010, a revision to the Americans with Disabilities Act stripped capuchin monkeys of their status as service animals.

My wife and I enjoyed this movie at home on BluRay from our public library.