Review of Morgan (2012) by Richard L — 17 Mar 2015

The film means so well but the uneven acting and obvious sentimentality make it somewhat trying. We certainly needs more movies that feature disability in a positive light and provide a greater diversity of characters, whether it is race, accent, sexuality, capability, or age. This film reaches for but cannot quite reach this lofty goal.

Leo Minaya as Morgan does a pretty good job of depicting the life of a former bicycle racer who had a terrible accent and is now paralyzed from the waist down. He is unable to find his way in this new reality despite the help of his mom and best friend. He interacts with Dean Kagen, played by Jack Kesy, while rolling by an outdoor basketball court and their friendship quickly leads to a romantic relationship. There are obstacles in their way, most of them related to Morgan being unable to deal with his situation. Eventually his own demons lead him to reject everyone around him and sends him on a journey back to the place where he was injured.

The plot is entirely predictable, with the expected level of rising action leading to conflict and then resolution. What begins as a clinical camera view of Morgan's day-to-day life eventually leads to sentimental moments that don't quite work because of leaden line-readings by some of the actors. I thought Jack Kesy was pretty great as the capable new boyfriend trying to navigate the needs of Morgan, but the supporting cast weren't as well developed.