Page 21 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - September '24

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 21
Film Review:

Don’t Worry: He Won’t Get Far On Foot

By Nils A. Shapiro much to drink, decide to make When John is provided with
Trust me on this one. If, like me, at some point in the a real night of it. After stops an electric wheelchair whose
first half hour or so of this film you feel like turning it at an amusement park and a movements and direction he can
off as being rather depressing, don’t do it! strip club, imbibing even more control with his fingers, his world
Resist that urge and you will be rewarded with one at each, they pile back into the widens: He can travel around the
of the most brilliant acting performances and emotional car for one more stop with his hospital and even go outdoors.
screen stories you will have experienced in a long time, totally besotted friend behind the Recognizing the reason for his
to be then told in the closing credits (forgive this spoiler) wheel. As the car veers from one disastrous situation he decides
that it is all based on a true memoir by the man who lived lane to another, the driver’s eyes to join a group in Alcoholics
it! begin to close. He dozes off… Anonymous to straighten out his
The highly respected director Gus Van Sant adapted and the inevitable 90 mph crash life. The group leader, portrayed by
that memoir into the screenplay for this 2018 film into a light pole results in them Jonah Hill, takes a special interest
streaming on Amazon Prime Video. After viewing being brought by emergency in guiding John through AA’s
Joaquin Phoenix’s extraordinary performance in the lead ambulance to a hospital. established process.
role I had to do some research to learn why he failed to win As it turns out, the driver We learn that John’s mother had
the Academy Award that year. It went to Rami Malek for escapes with only minor bruises turned him over for adoption when
playing Freddie Mercury in American Rhapsody. (Joaquin and we see no more of him until he was a young boy and he has
Phoenix throughout his career has won one Academy the very end of the film. But it is never overcome the sadness and
Award, one British Academy Film Award, two Golden largely through John’s (Joaquin feeling of loss of self-worth caused
Globe Awards, one Grammy—having been nominated for Phoenix’s) eyes and thoughts by that decision.
13 of those—in addition to having been nominated for that we learn and experience his That is the turning point in
no fewer than 105 other U.S. and international festival life from that moment on as a the film, for it led the real John
acting awards and taking top honors 28 times!) quadriplegic: paralysis of both arms and both legs. Callahan–who is able to use his hands—to become an
We meet him here in the opening scene as John Through the director’s, actor’s and cinematographer’s accomplished cartoonist whose work you will instantly
Callahan, onstage as a recovered alcoholic receiving an skills, John’s trauma and shock are palpable. The initial recognize from newspapers and popular national
award before an audience to whom he is telling the story treatment by much of the hospital staff is insufficiently magazines—and whose humor, while definitely funny and
we are about to witness. caring, except for a beautiful visiting volunteer (played clever, is often considered somewhat risqué and even the
The flashback begins at a party where Jack and his by Rooney Mara) who spoon feeds him and understands object of complaints from certain social and religious groups.
friend (played by Jack Black), already having had too that a little kiss will make him feel human. Interestingly, although I strongly disagree, because the
film shows some of these wonderful cartoons, the movie itself
is listed in the category of “comedy drama” despite the fact
that the story itself is of a life that can hardly be considered
as having any semblance of humor.
But there is indeed a happy ending to this life, one that
will reward you for staying with the film as I urged you to
do at the opening of this review. A successful career as a
cartoonist…a loving marriage to Annu, caregiver at the
hospital who understood what this patient needed at the worst
moment of his life…and, as you will discover, the one-word
lesson learned from his AA leader that enabled John Callahan
at last to overcome his life of alcoholism.

Palm Beach County Property Appraiser from page 20

from our office will then present evidence in support of the
property valuation, denied exemption, etc., depending on
the issue. You will have another opportunity to comment
before the end of the hearing.
The VAB will mail you a written copy of its final
decision. Regardless of the outcome of your hearing,
you must pay all or the required portion of your taxes by
April 1 to keep your petition valid and avoid additional
cost and fees.
CAMPBELL AND KARLIK, P.A. After The Hearing

ATTORNEYS AT LAW The VAB must issue all final decisions within 20 calendar
days of the last day it was in session. Although the decision
of the magistrate is binding, you may file a lawsuit in circuit
court if you do not agree with the VAB’s decision.
Wills • Trusts • Estate Planning • Probate For more information about the VAB in Palm Beach

Taxation • Real Estate • Corporations County, email vab@mypalmbeachclerk.com or call them
at (561) 355-6289.
Holiday Office Closure

The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
(including all of our Service Centers) will be closed in
observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 2.

Diane L. KarLiK

Tel: (561) 625-5220
3450 Northlake Boulevard Suite 210 Fax: (561) 625-5201• Mobile: (561) 797-5004
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33403 EMail: dlkarlik@aol.com