Even if the movie had not starred a medically different person, I would still have loved it, as it was hands down one of the most brilliant and different films I have seen in forever, and it really made me want to visit Ethiopia.
As a disabled person, I strongly enjoyed not only seeing a medically different person in the lead role, but seeing them portrayed as a fully three dimensional character whose body is never commented upon. He is just a regular person, exceptional only in the unusually loving and devoted relationship he has with his fiancée.
Anyone who likes this movie may also enjoy it's spiritual sequel (not a literal continuation of the story, but a movie by the same director with the same actor with some of the same imagery) called "Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway". That said, it's worth mentioning that that movie does include a number of references to the main character's size, including some derogatory, and the credits and the end have heavy strobing which can cause seizures (including fatal seizures) in people with epilepsy and / or strobe sensitivity.
In short, this was a fantastic movie with excellent acting, excellent directing, an excellent storyline, and excellent representation.
As a disabled person, I strongly enjoyed not only seeing a medically different person in the lead role, but seeing them portrayed as a fully three dimensional character whose body is never commented upon. He is just a regular person, exceptional only in the unusually loving and devoted relationship he has with his fiancée.
Anyone who likes this movie may also enjoy it's spiritual sequel (not a literal continuation of the story, but a movie by the same director with the same actor with some of the same imagery) called "Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway". That said, it's worth mentioning that that movie does include a number of references to the main character's size, including some derogatory, and the credits and the end have heavy strobing which can cause seizures (including fatal seizures) in people with epilepsy and / or strobe sensitivity.
In short, this was a fantastic movie with excellent acting, excellent directing, an excellent storyline, and excellent representation.