Best Boy

Best Boy depicts a tender and poignant portrayal of a mentally challenged 52-year-old man named Philly Wohl and his journey towards independence. The Emmy Award and Academy Award-winning documentary film, released in 1979, was directed by Ira Wohl, who happens to be Philly's cousin. What started as a small family project ultimately transformed into a touching real-life saga that genuinely reached the hearts of its audience - not only in its exploration of mental disability but also in its display of universal family dynamics.

The film magnificently captures Philly's life in Queens, New York, where he lived with his aging parents, Max and Pearl Wohl. Subject to his parents' overprotection, Philly had experienced little of the outside world. Ira Wohl, being deeply concerned about Philly’s future after his parents pass away, sought to step in and help him become more self-reliant.

The movie is brought to life through a variety of techniques, such as direct interviews and observational footage, and provides an intimate, unobtrusive look at Philly's life. As the film gently reveals, Philly confronts the real world outside his home's sheltered confines with a certain childlike innocence, earnestness, and sometimes, even bewilderment. This presentation is done with a great deal of respect and sensitivity towards Philly and his condition, thereby humanizing him and showcasing his inherent dignity.

Philly's journey to become more self-reliant sees him being introduced, by Ira, into a special educational program designed for adults living with mental disabilities. Watching Philly navigate this new environment, form relationships, and learn essential life skills such as how to travel by bus, manage money, and hold a job proves both heartwarming and inspiring. The film, in this regard, captures the entire spectrum of Philly's emotions and experiences concerning his new lifestyle and independence- joy, uncertainty, nervousness, and even disappointment.

While Philly Wohl is undoubtedly the primary subject of Best Boy, his parents - Max and Pearl - play crucial roles in the narrative. They embody the blend of love, fear, and guilt that parents with mentally challenged children often experience. Max and Pearl wholeheartedly love their son and have always wanted the best for him, as evident in the title of the film. However, they also struggle with letting their son move beyond their protection, revealing the universal themes of parental love and apprehension in letting go.

The emotional depth of Best Boy does not end with the Wohl family alone. Quite anomalously for a documentary of this nature, the film also featured the legendary stage and screen actor, Zero Mostel, who appeared in one of his last roles before his untimely death. Mostel, as Philly's idol, becomes an integral part of this heartfelt documentary, adding more layers to the film's poignant narrative.

Best Boy doesn't just document Philly's journey towards independence; it also delves into societal perceptions about mentally disabled individuals. It foregrounds the need for empathy, understanding, and acceptance by demonstrating Philly's immense growth potential when given the right opportunities. The film presents a thought-provoking perspective on how society can provide the differently-abled with a dignified life instead of discarding them as incapable.

Throughout its 110-minute runtime, Best Boy resonates with a profound sense of humaneness. This is much more than a film about mental health or family dynamics; it is a film about the human spirit, resilience, and the power of love. It is a reflection on how the power of acceptance and support can help individuals overcome any hurdle.

To sum it up, Best Boy is a delicately executed and beautiful real-life narrative that gently yet powerfully amplifies the voices of the often unheard. It innovatively breaks free of the general norms associated with documentary filmmaking, emerging as a heartfelt portrayal of a man silently fighting against the circumstances of his birth, imbued with love, innocence, and indomitable spirit. The film leaves you pondering the true essence of being 'human', all while prompting a re-evaluation of societal norms around mental disability.