Ted Passon’s previous work includes Philly DA, a docuseries about public office and thus, complex public policy. Public policy is also a theme among many in his newer, feature length documentary Patrice: The Movie. Economy is as well, as she and her fiance Gary have the same worries as us about our account balances. The same goes for family, as Patrice and Gary undo a lot of their unique family trauma. Those two things are difficult for everyone but more difficult for them because of their learning and physical abilities. Thankfully they have friends to help them and they need all the help to fight for marriage equality. Patrice and Gary and both cisgender, it’s more that people with disabilities lose their social security after marriage.
Sure, Patrice: The Movie is a conventional documentary about the difficulties of having a disability in America. Thankfully, it’s honest about those difficulties while balancing out its subjects’ magnetic personalities, which make the documentary good. Other than cinema verite moments, Patrice tells her story in a school play that highlights her childlike wonder. The play segments also have her examining the trauma she has that her mom passed down to her. Again, honesty is the key here, where she doesn’t paint herself as a perfect one dimensional disabled person. Through these scenes she admits a lot about they retaliated against each other. Lastly, she relates her mother’s overprotective nature with her fear of ableist policies, an astute angle that helps this film.
- Rated: NR
- Genre: Documentary, History
- Release Date: 9/8/2024
- Directed by: Ted Passon
- Produced by: Emily Spivack, Innbo Shim, Kyla Harris
- Studio: ABC News Studios, Cedar Road
