User Reviews

Just saw this charming movie tonight at the Port Townsend Film Festival. This is one of those rare films that causes theater audiences to spontaneously erupt into applause -- more than once.

It's the story of the Goodwill Band in Miami, featuring a group of people who have various disabilities. Many of the members of the band had no musical training until they signed up in the factory where they work. Their personal stories are touching, and sometimes quite funny. Watching these people struggle so hard for their accomplishments should inspire the rest of us to contemplate what wonders we could produce if we all tried that hard.

The most striking thing about this movie, though, was watching their musical director, Javier Pena, slowly nurture them into musicians, demonstrating superhuman patience and calm in his alternating roles as teacher, cheerleader, referee, father-substitute, and friend.

Postscript: For Once in My Life won the Best Documentary award at the Port Townsend Film Festival. I've heard that the movie may be shown on public television in February.

I had the opportunity to watch this film for the second time last night and I was moved again. There is no getting used to the human greatness shown here. This is a story about tearing down the barriers we build in our lives, or others build for us. A story of how love can help people grow. This is a truly moving documentary about the power of the human spirit. No hurdle is tall enough when the human spirit is as big as those shown in the film. It demonstrate that "impossible" is just an opinion; when you set your heart for a great purpose, nothing can stop you. A must see with your family, particularly your children. Please don't miss any opportunity to watch this film.

I cannot stop thinking about this delightful film which had me smiling all the way through and brought tears of joy at the end. You will never forget these brave people and their band leader Javier Pena who was such a loving and patient leader, friend and mentor for them. The back stories to these lovely people may be a little tragic. But in each case they have someone who has loved and cared for them throughout their lives. These mothers, fathers, aunts uncles, sisters and brothers are true heros. Putting their own needs aside and going against medical advice when they were told all hope was lost. But to me the band members themselves are heros to me because of the way they conquer their fears, encourage one another and try new things no matter how challenging. I hope you see this film. It is a beautiful story!