Daruma

Don't miss this authentic movie. It's a refreshing change from others in the same genre - the cast is real, the story is touching, and the ending worked for me! It's nice to watch something so well made and that doesn't leave you wishing you had rented or bought something else instead. It's long enough to be an evening, but not overly so, and the scenery is great. I especially liked the scenes with the (very) young child, being a sentimental person myself. Touching but not cloying. I found myself alternating between disliking the main characters and really liking them alot! A milestone, breaking the stereotypes movie!

If you're looking for a movie about family, fatherhood and FORGIVENESS ahead of the holiday season this is the movie for you. I cannot believe that this gem of a movie has flown under the radar for as long as it has but I heard about it through word of mouth (like most indie films!) and I am so glad I rented it. It's been recommended to me by a few people now and I don't usually post reviews but this is a really special film and it deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. It reminded me a lot of the early 2000s indie films like Little Miss Sunshine and captured that vibe of poignancy and optimism and maybe that is something we all need right now. The central theme of the movie is kindness - to be kind to yourself and to others. In addition to weaving really complex story lines, there is a gentleness to this film. It's like a warm hug and it will stay with you for days afterward as you think about all the little details and character quirks. Fantastic acting, amazing writing and directed incredibly well. This is the feel good film of the year. Do not miss it.

I saw this at The Miracle Theater in DC and I LOVED it! It's a quiet movie about a man trying to let go of the past and become the person he was meant to be. I loved the symbolism of the Daruma doll in the movie - it was very subtle and the move I think about the movie, the more layers and nuances I begin to uncover. There's a lot of layers to unpack in the film and it was really surprising how by the end of the movie, you completely forget about the disability at all. You're just looking at two normal people who are going through the human experience and trying and learning and picking themselves back up again! Very good and highly recommend!

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.

Daruma is a triumph of authentic storytelling. As a disabled woman, it's rare to see characters who reflect not just my experiences but my complexities, dreams, and flaws (and desires!!!!). This isn't a story about disability-it's a story about friendship, resilience, and confronting life's messy moments. The bond between Patrick and Robert is deeply human and emotionally raw, capturing the frustrations, humor, and beauty of their journey. Watching this film felt like being truly seen, not for my disability, but for the person I am beyond it. The performances are nuanced and magnetic, drawing you into a narrative that's as relatable as it is moving. Daruma doesn't preach; it connects. It's a film I'll carry with me, grateful for the way it made me laugh, cry, and, most importantly, feel seen.