Film Review 2: Murder Ball

Film Review 2: “Murder Ball” 14 Feb ‘12

In class on February 14 we watched the film “Murder Ball". It was a excellent film, and I would recommend it to anyone who can watch something with an open mind. The main thesis of the film is showing the viewer just how many preconceived notions that are out there about people in wheelchairs. Those of us who are not paraplegic or quadriplegic can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to not have the luxury of our mobility. As a result, there are many assumptions out there that the men in the film who actually live that life do what they can to show us life from their point of view and to see how capable they are of living a happy and productive life, so no need to pity. They don’t like that shit.

The film was a documentary basically. The men interviewed were players on the USA Olympic Rugby Team. I never knew until I watched this film that there was an Olympic Team for people in wheelchairs; which shows a preconceived notion of mine. These men amazed me. They are all very accepting of the way thing are and are amazing at how much more capable and able bodied they are than those of us who do have the use of all of our limbs. I think that was one of the main things that supported the thesis was basically these men showing us their daily routines and how much they DON’T have to depend on other people as we all think; they have a daily routine and daily commute, they have families and are able to have sex as well. Most importantly, just because someone doesn’t have full control of their limbs does not mean it impairs their mind too, as some ignorant people apparently unbelievably think. Just as if you may have a slight mental disability in one area, you aren’t necessarily disabled mentally in every other way possible too. In the article, “You’re Not A Retard, You’re Just Wise”, the author uses various examples of disputing such a asinine assumption. Just because someone might have a mental problem, doesn’t mean they are “crazy”. They are most likely very strong in other areas (Taylor, p. 25, “Readings In Deviant Behavior.”).

The thesis of the film relates to the class, because the stigma of being deviant is very much implanted on those that are quadriplegic or are in wheelchairs for whatever reason. This deviant stigma is something that these people have no control over either, so it is very important that it is part of the course.

The points I found most convincing were the ones I could actually see. Watching a man in a wheelchair who also has no hands or forearms do everything a completely able bodied person can do with no trouble, from unlocking and opening his front door, to pouring juice into a glass from a pitcher that I would have spilled probably, to getting himself dressed, brushing his teeth, and driving to and from work, convinced me that there is absolutely no reason to think someone in a wheelchair needs to be pitied.

I did not see any part of the documentary that was unconvincing to me. I got a better understanding than I ever have of how unfair life can be, but no matter what shitty hand you get dealt, you can still be who and what you want to be, even when it looks like you can’t.

One of the points that stood out to me the most was when it was discussed that “a quadriplegics’ mind becomes a bigger disability than the physical stuff, every quadriplegic thinks they will walk again”. This intrigued me. Even though they know the odds of that happening are almost impossible, they still hold onto that hope. As discussed by Dr. Temple Gradin in “The World Needs All Kinds Of Minds”, she talks about learning from everyone, even the ones’ you think you can’t learn anything from, someone you never expected might have something going on in their mind that you never knew. I would like to see a psychological evaluation digging a little deeper in a quadriplegics’ mind that keeps them hoping they will walk again, even though they have had the reality check that it won’t happen.


Works Cited

Taylor, Steven J. “You’re Not A Retard, You’re just Wise.” Readings In Deviant Behavior. p.173-81. Alex Thio, Thomas C. Calhoun, Addrain Conyers.

“The World Needs All Kinds Of Minds.” Dr. Temple Grandin. http://youtube/fn_9f5x0f1Q

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