Becoming Bulletproof

This lovely, big-hearted documentary does an excellent job of showing that people with disabilities are absolutely, utterly human. It also tells a compelling story of the hard work that goes into making a movie. Becoming Bulletproof is an excellent, matter-of-fact mix of elements. It tells the story of the nonprofit, founded by the able-bodied Halby family, which grew surprisingly quickly and eventually became a full-time effort. (Will Halby was a co-writer on Bulletproof.) Then it focuses largely on three of the actors (Gottsagen, who later starred in The Peanut Butter Falcon, Vest, and Murray), offering relaxed, candid interviews with them rather than the typical, airless-studio talking-head variety.

The film occasionally switches from nonfiction into scenes from the finished Western, moving into Sergio Leone-like widescreen and sepia-tone color -- and it really does look like a professional, entertaining effort. Bulletproof director Peter Lazarus says he's interested in making the best movie possible, and his patient, kind, yet firm work with all of the actors is admirable. But the most moving thing about Becoming Bulletproof is watching this band of all kinds of friends absolutely loving being in each other's company.