Le strade del cielo

Julie (Suzy Barbieri) is a teenager who is confined to a motorized wheelchair. She also is about to experience her first taste of independence...she's being mainstreamed and is going to attend her local high school. But like many disabled people, she doesn't like being the oddball and doesn't want to be held back. So, it's not surprising when she decides that she wants to learn to fly! But there is a problem.... Julie is afraid to ask her parents' permission so she forges their signatures. What's next? And, what will her overprotective parents do when they learn the truth?

The film deserves kudos for actually casting a disabled person to play the lead (though oddly she's listed 7th in the credits on IMDB). Too many films and TV shows (such as "The Shape of Water" and "Glee") just hire able-bodied folks...taking away jobs from needy disabled folks. Plus, considering they aren't actually disabled, they often don't do a great job in the parts.

As far as the acting goes, Barbieri is good and it helps that she has the able support of some fine actors, such as Bette Davis, Howard Hessman, Marion Ross and Clu Gulager. Well worth seeing.

By the way, this was Ron Howard's first film as a director. The script was co-written by Anson Williams and Marion Ross acts in the film...and it's like a "Happy Days" reunion!