39 Pounds of Love

Ami Ankilewitz is 34 years old and he has spinal muscular atrophy. He speaks three languages, he drinks whiskey, he weighs 39 pounds, and he is in love with his caretaker Christina. His dreams include riding a Harley, and confronting the doctor who told his mother that he, Ami, would not live past age six.

“39 Pounds of Love” combines Ami’s animation with the story of his trip to the United States to visit his brother and find his childhood doctor. From the trailer and clips provided on the film’s website, one can see that the movie loves to cause laughter whenever it can. Ami’s storytelling and the interviews with his friends show just how full of happiness a life can be in spite of a threatening illness. A reviewer for the New York Times writes, “‘39 Pounds of Love’ presents a bracingly honest yet poetic portrait of a man refusing to be defined by the limitations of his body.”

This movie appeals to me just because it is so different from the documentaries I have researched. It is not rated, but is said to have only mild language and some sexual references. I think it could appeal to most audiences though a specific class tie-in might be difficult to find. For the most part, it would be interesting to discuss how a movie like this appeals to the emotions of its audience without making them feel pity for its main subject.