October 5, 2014 - 23:41
I was so tickled pink by Monica & David's representation of two people living with Down's. I was worried, from the beginning, that the film might include condecension, but was pleasantly surprised with how neither the representation of the two protagonists nor the commentary about them by friends and family seemed to. Each mother of the couple explained that they ocassionally have the tendency to try to protect them from the world, but that they recognize that instinct and actively try to work against it. It was pleasing to see how Monica so admired her mother, even adopting some of her phrases, like "This is ridiculous."
My favorite part of the film was Monica's constant reminding that things in life were her choice. I wish I were as aware of that fact as she. She freqently presented situations with that fact in mind, and had no qualms about telling the camera or others that, for example, she didn't have to see her birth dad, even if he wanted to see her. Further, Monica, when talking with David, said that she would advocate for him to work at the grocery store and for both of them to get jobs. Monica's parents explained to the two of them that the grocery store job would not be worth the trouble, and the film-maker made sure to interact with them about the topic. Later, however, the two couples compromised and went to the employment center that would work hardest to find them the best fit job.
I was thankful, too, for the part where the person who made the documentary asked both Monica and David about Down's and their perception of it. Interestingly, David said he had it sometimes. Monica was very frank and recognized that she and many of her friends had it. Neither seemed ashamed or disturbed that they had it. They didn't become sad or disappointed that the topic was brought up, which made me believe they lacked negative characterizations of Down's.
I wish the film had included much more about their talents -- Monica seems to be bilingual, and I wish I'd heard more of it.