Director: Chris Burke
83 mins. Not Rated.

For Love & Life is the new documentary from director Chris Burke, following the journey of American lawyer Brian Wallach as he goes through a diagnosis of ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and consequently becomes a patient advocate through the creation of the nonprofit I AM ALS.

The documentary begins with the question of what we really know about ALS outside of the ice bucket challenge and Lou Gehrig. I knew some information, but even I was unaware of the speed of the disease. That’s where Burke’s documentary excels. Through discussions with Wallach and his wife Sandra Abrevaya, Burke is able to relay key information about what is and what isn’t known about ALS as well as the issues standing in the way of understanding, slowing, and hopefully one day stopping the disease. I’m not sure of the impact the doc would have on people more familiar with the disease, but that’s where Brian and Sandra’s journey becomes the focal strength. I was invested in the love they have for one another and the lengths they were willing to go to in order to have more time and save more lives. Wallach frequently talks about his plans to live far past this disease, and his tenacity in uplifting others and fighting for ALS patients, he’s able to fight the disease through his skills as a lawyer and advocate.

For Love & Life works as an introductory lesson on ALS as well as a classic hero’s journey trying to overcome the bureaucracy and red tape that stands in the way of progress, but more than anything, it works as a character piece on both Brian and Sandra. It is the combination of these three strengths that makes this documentary stand apart from others. While it may not work as well for those more aware of ALS, I was still invested throughout the entirety.

4/5
-Kyle A. Goethe

For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign is currently streaming on Prime Video.