Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Gaby is a film one probably doesn’t come across without having a reason. Mine was the attempt to complete my collection of films including actor Robert Beltran. Despite fellow Epinionator Garym’s mocking, I don’t always have only bad things to say about Beltran films, and this one certainly was a find. Actually, each actor/actress in this film is perfectly suited for their part in an outstanding film on a difficult topic.

Fleeing Nazi Germany, Michel and Sari Brimmer start a new life in South America. Soon after the birth of their second child Gaby, the Brimmers learn she suffers from Cerebral Palsy, a medical condition in which brain damage causes muscle tone to be either too tight or too loose, leaving the afflicted child unable to move some or all limbs without a chance for change.

In Gaby’s case, she is without the ability to speak or use any of her limbs except her left leg. Luckily, the Brimmers are well-off and can afford round-the-clock care for Gaby and proper medical attention, leaving her well looked after but completely dependent.

Gaby pretty much only exists until the Mexican maid Florencia realizes Gaby can move her left foot and helps Gaby to express herself through that. As Gaby learns to use her foot to spell out words on a paper board, her maid learns to copy those letters onto a piece of paper: a perfect symbiotic relationship in which Gaby’s learning aides the maid’s learning to write. She becomes Gaby’s nanny.

The film is partly narrated by Florencia, played by Norma Aleandro who has an extensive acting record in Argentinean films. For her part in Gaby she received a Best Supporting Actress Award and her expressive performance does indeed justify that honor.

Florencia becomes like a mother to Gaby. She tries to protect Gaby from heartbreak by interfering and exercising control over Gaby in situations where she sees a romance coming on. On the other hand, she is torn on the subject because she also wants Gaby to be able to experience the same things any other girl her age goes through.

A range of emotions is played out by Aleandro with nothing more than facial expression and body language. When Gaby gets exposed to heartbreak, one immediately thinks “That’s exactly what Florencia predicted” although Florencia never uttered a word about the subject.

Gaby attends a school for the handicapped where she writes her thoughts and answers onto a typewriter at the bottom of her wheelchair. Gaby’s main support comes from Florencia, but also from her father who speaks to Gaby about her fears, tells her there is no limit within the mind and encourages her to fight for her right to fulfill her dreams. These are some very inspiring conversations delivered by Michel Brimmer (Robert Loggia).

Loggia acts with the quality of Anthony Hopkins in roles like Remains of the Day or Hearts in Atlantis. His part in this film is small but reoccurring and a thought-provoking event each time.

This film isn’t always easy to watch: Gaby’s inability to speak often leaves no other form of expression but uncontrolled screams or contorted facial expressions. The interactions in a classroom full of young men and women with different handicaps is sometimes aggressive, sometimes frustrating.

The attempts of two physically disabled persons trying to express their love for one another physically could be ridiculous in it’s portrayal. In Gaby, however, the scene is more one that sparks frustration in the viewer, feeling for the characters; this is not a scene one can easily dismiss as it certainly provokes thought on the issue.

Overall, this film manages to be uplifting and positive and will also capture the interest of anybody who does not have contact with disabled people in day-to-day life. It is neither glorification nor a cheap attempt to evoke pity, but a full-fledged life story of someone who has a handicap, accepts the limitations, but also pushes these limitations as far as possible before resigning to them.

The film also raises a good point: what good does any special treatment do disabled men and women if it is only offered out of pity? Fernando, one of the students of the “special school”, complains on graduation day that many of them have graduated the same grade numerous times and are being passed only as a favor since nobody thinks these handicapped kids will ever need realistic grades in life anyway.

Gaby fights for her right to go to a regular school and makes it into a general high school where she is commonly accepted by her peers but a relationship as she once had with Fernando just isn’t there. She becomes more and more lonely.

She meets Luiz, (Robert Beltran) a student whose carefree and open personality easily charms her. Florencia tries everything to keep her from connecting with Luiz, but Gaby falls for his fun and flirtatious ways when he just sees her as a friend. After her father’s death, Gaby is left alone with her nanny. Luiz gets Gaby a job as a writer and takes her to a club to celebrate when her first article is published.

Parts like this seem to always have been rather easy to master for Beltran and are worth watching in even the most difficult films.

While Beltran’s character only occupies a span of about 25 minutes in Gaby, it is a pivotal part which redirects Gaby’s outlook in life almost as much as the loss of her father and, seeing Luiz’ interaction with Gaby, it is painfully clear why his romantic rejection is so destructive to her.

When Gaby realizes that her love for Luiz is not mutual, it is hard for her to deal with it. The film wraps up rather quickly after this, giving a hint at Gaby’s remaining course of life.

The real Gaby Brimmer continued writing and is the co-writer of this film. A brief story of her life and some of her poetry, mostly dedicated to her country, is featured at http://www.disabilityworld.org/April-May2000/IntntalNews/Gaby.htm

For anybody drawn to this review by it’s subject of disabilities, go visit Epinions member bonniesayers who has much more and probably more informed things to say about disabilities and related films, books, etc.

At the time I wanted to purchase this film in 1997, it was still listed at $79.99 - too high a price for any obsession as far as I’m concerned - so I went to half.com where I found Gaby offered for $4.99. Since then, the price has generally dropped to anywhere between $4 on half.com to 15.00 at Amazon and it is absolutely worth the investment, should you not be able to find it as a rental copy.

“If God is a fly on the wall, Nanny, bring me a flyswatter.”
Gaby Brimmer


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS