No Ordinary Campaign Review
No Ordinary Campaign (2022) Film Review from the 30th Annual South by Southwest Film Festival, a movie directed by Christopher Burke, starring Sandra Abrevaya, Barack Obama, and Brian Wallach. The impact of early onset ALS centers on the life and career of a young federal attorney turned activist in No Ordinary Campaign.
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Brian Wallach was just 37 years old when struck down with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Struck down, but definitely not out. This documentary conveys a fair measure of tragedy surrounding the disease, but no more than that. Its real message lies in the shared values of fortitude and a resolute, positive outlook. Any health professionals worth their salt, of course, will insist that the patient’s attitude carries as much weight — to some, even more — in a having better prognosis as any therapeutic regimen. Brian’s first symptom of left hand weakness was mild, even seemingly negligible, and didn’t interfere much with his duties as a federal attorney rising up the ladder, loving spouse to Sandra, and doting father to their infant son and toddler. Though the progression of his disease was relatively slow, time was definitely not on his side, as the treatment options were surprisingly limited. And the research into this area apparently moved at a snail’s pace, even by bureaucratic standards. It is clear that Brian’s situation echoed that of another fighter: Roger Gail Lyon’s in the early years of the AIDS epidemic. Lyon testified before Congress, as Brian himself would, stating in 1983, “I came here today in the hope that my epitaph would not read that I died of red tape.” Roger’s hopes were dashed when he passed the following year. But Brian’s personal struggle strongly resonated with his lawyerly soul. He pondered the future of millions of others also suffering with different forms of dementia and decided that his own experiences were the best weapons to battle the bureaucratic pessimism saturating official channels into research and new treatment modalities. Standing shoulder to shoulder was (and is) Brian’s spouse and life partner, Sandra Abrevaya, a pillar of support at home, and as much an activist in the public eye as her husband. As Brian’s disease progressed, it was she who, for lack of a better word, ‘interpreted’ his words for the legislators in those august halls, pleading for proper allocation of funds to research neurodegenerative diseases in general, and ALS in particular. While Brian’s case received the lion’s share of attention in No Ordinary Campaign, others also related their stories regarding diagnosis, treatment, and their hopes for the future, eventually joining Brian’s crusade, I AM ALS. This solidarity added impetus to the movement’s central goal behind all the reforms they suggested — the prevailing optimism threading throughout this opus. The quiet intensity of this work holds the viewer’s attention, despite the gravity of the subject, which it doesn’t shy away from. Discouragement, frustration, and a feeling of futility are presented honestly, without apology or despair. This comes from behind the camera, and there is good reason for this. Christopher Burke, directing his first feature, has a stake beyond that of a dedicated filmmaker, but by way of their close friendship since they first met at Yale as roommates. Audiences recognized this tenor of loyalty, taking the Audience Award at South by Southwest Film Festival as well as the Chicago International Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award. No Ordinary Campaign wraps up with high notes without getting sappy; it’s too smart and forthright for that. Instead it cites two significant, hard-won triumphs in particular. Thanks to I AM ALS and its network of nonprofits, Congress passed legislation in December of 2020 that greatly reduced the waiting period to receive disability benefits (many had died in poverty). Then in September 2022, a special triumph: after delays in clinical trials, the FDA finally approved new drugs that significantly extended patient survival rates for those willing to take some risk over certain demise. And so, not one to rest of their laurels, Brian and Sandra have since founded another nonprofit, Synapticure, spreading the message to live and fight another day. Rating: 8.5/10
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