“Being Heumann,” the latest film from “CODA” director Sian Heder, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, offering a dramatization of the 1977 disability rights protest for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. While the film has been described as warm, it has also been criticized for its generic approach to historical storytelling.
The film chronicles a 28-day sit-in protest in San Francisco, where activists, led by Judy Heumann, demanded the government enforce a law prohibiting discrimination based on disability. The protest targeted then-Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joseph Califano, who was hesitant to sign off on the final regulations due to the potential costs of accessibility modifications.
Reviewers noted Heder’s skill in building ensembles and fostering playfulness among the characters, who occupied the Federal Building during the protest. Scenes described include wheelchair races and the creation of makeshift amenities within the occupied space.
However, the film has been seen by some critics as falling into predictable historical drama conventions, making it feel more soothing than galvanizing. The depiction of the 1970s setting was also noted as unconvincing, which critics argue lessened the impact of the historical period.
British actress Ruth Madeley delivers a powerful performance as Judy Heumann, a tenacious activist who became wheelchair-bound after contracting polio in childhood. Heumann’s speeches, including one describing her experiences with being labeled a “fire hazard,” were highlighted as particularly strong moments in the film. Madeley has been praised for capturing Heumann's wit, charisma, and ferocity.
The film's focus on Heumann, while logical given her role as an organizer, has also been noted as a potential missed opportunity to delve deeper into the stories of other activists involved in the protest. While supporting cast members Michael Patrick Thornton and Andrew Pilkington were mentioned for making an impact with limited material, many other compatriots were only briefly sketched.
One of the most moving scenes reportedly occurs during a hearing on Section 504, where a montage quickly illustrates the hardships faced by disabled citizens in an unaccommodating society. This sequence was cited as a moment where the film effectively evoked emotion.
“Being Heumann” is described as an important and nice film, but at times curiously uninvolving, despite its engaging lead performance and its depiction of a significant civil rights movement.