Bombardier Blood

Bombardier's journey is inspirational well beyond the hemophilia and mountain climbing communities. He's the kind of person people root for: He demonstrates humility, perseverance, courage, gratitude, and a willingness to work hard to achieve. And he's not arrogant or defiant while doing so. Films often introduce main characters who brashly ignore warnings by experts or the medical community, just to defy the odds of success. But in this real-life scenario, Bombardier achieves his goals by following the experts' advice and also makes it clear that if he's not able to do it, it will be fine -- he's not going to do anything dumb out of bravado or stubbornness. That's something parents may well want to point out to their kids. Bombardier's own parents and wife worry but are supportive, and they also share how Bombardier is cautious and gives back to the community.

Bombardier Blood showcases the emotional bond that people with hemophilia tend to share. Calling each other "blood brothers," many form instant relationships based on their shared difficulty. There's a surge of freeing relief that comes when someone truly understands your struggle, and with this sympathetic film, cinematographer-director Patrick James Lynch ensures that the circle of understanding will grow larger for those with hemophilia. All of that said, while there's plenty here worth watching and learning, it is virtually an infomercial for the nonprofit organization Save One Life and the pharmaceutical company Octopharma, which financed Bombardier's expedition. As a piece of nonfiction work, Bombardier Blood makes a valiant climb but doesn't quite reach the summit.