Gaby--A True Story

1987, Movie, R, 114 mins

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Biography of Gabriela Brimmer, who was stricken with severe cerebral palsy at birth but overcame the odds and became one of Mexico's most popular and celebrated authors. As Nazi tyranny swept Europe in the 1930s, Jewish couple Ullman and Loggia fled the continent and settled in Mexico where, in 1938, they became the parents of a baby girl, Gaby. Her affliction leaves her nearly immobile (she can move her left leg) and mute. In later years the girl is played by Levin, who comes under the influence of an iron-willed nanny, Aleandro. Aleandro patiently works with the girl to teach her to communicate and to encourage her intellectual development. Aleandro's resolve inspires Levin who begins to excel at a school for the handicapped, and becomes attracted to a similarly afflicted boy (Monoson). Their relationship collapses, however, when Levin becomes determined to attend "normal" schools and to achieve the greatness which has been awakened within her. Director Mandoki spent seven years trying to get this uplifting saga to the screen and he received full cooperation from the real-life Gabriela Brimmer. While it is certainly an inspiring story, the screen treatment is rather lifeless and quite predictable. Incredibly, new-comer Rachel Levin had recently recovered from a bout with the crippling Guillian-Barre syndrome, a neurological ailment that had left her totally paralyzed. After 80 days in the hospital and two years of rehabilitation, Levin regained 98 percent of her mobility and continued her career as a stage actress. Although she brought unusual insight to her role, her affliction and that of Brimmer, are very different and Levin had to educate herself on the effects of cerebral palsy. Aleandro earned a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, losing to Olympia Dukakis for MOONSTRUCK. leave a comment
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Gaby--A True Story
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