Bernard "Bern" Lemly is fed up with being in a wheelchair and wants more out of life. Meanwhile, former football player Tony "Ole" Olezniak is stewing after recently losing his sight. The men soon realize they can put their frustrated energy to good use by competing in a whitewater rafting race on Oregon's Rouge River. In the process, they discover their disabilities don't have to destroy their dreams.
Acting
Hines and D'Onofrio's volcanic chemistry — rage, wit, and tenderness.
Practical Effects
Actual Rogue River rapids, no CGI safety nets.
Writing
Dialogue that treats disability as lived experience, not inspiration porn.
Director
Richard LaBrie
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released before the ADA's cultural impact fully landed, this was radical visibility for disabled leads as complex, angry, sexual beings.
Gregory Hines insisted on doing his own wheelchair stunts; D'Onofrio wore opaque contacts so he actually couldn't see during river scenes.
US
