Breaking Boundaries

The documentary tells the story of a student who at the end of his first year in university suffered an accident which left him severely paralyzed. The documentary recounts a road trip he and his friends took through California 3 years after the accident.

But the story is not so much about the road trip itself but rather uses it as a backdrop against which Jack, his friends and family, reflect upon the very difficult journey he has taken, from the day on the beach when he dived into shallow water and his life was totally altered, to the point where he is now trying to engage fully with life within the constraints he how has to deal with on a daily basis.

The documentary belies its small budget and tells the story in an engaging, frank and ultimately uplifting fashion. The story never descends into sentimentality but is told in an honest and open way. It is a powerful story of hope, well told, and is a very impressive debut into the world of documentary making for its writer, editor and director.

"Breaking Boundaries" follows Jack Kavanagh, a young Irish man living with paralysis after breaking his neck in accident, as he undertakes the journey of a lifetime with a group of friends. The documentary carries the viewer through the trip in way that makes one feel intimately connected to its members. A great sense of humour is displayed throughout. It is an extremely impressive piece of work, especially considering that this is a first-time production. This is a documentary everyone should watch, no matter their age or circumstances. It should be watched so that people can learn how to live as Jack lives and how to adopt a positive mindset that can change their lives for the better. After I watched it I called so many people to recommend it to them - just watch it!

Documentaries about disability often tow a familiar line. Many of them focus on over-hyped narratives featuring staged obstacles to be overcome through adversity and determination. And though determination is a key factor of 'Breaking Boundaries', it takes a back seat to its gently charismatic subject, Jack Kavanagh.

A number of years ago, Jack suffered a spinal injury that saw him lose function in his legs as well as affecting parts of his upper body. Typically, we would see the nature of this injury as the opener for the film, framing the story for what's to come. Here, however, that's not quite the case, as before we learn of the event that lead to his current condition, we hear Jack vent his frustrations at it. It is clear that he is not willing to be defined by his disability; instead he will define it. And so, why shouldn't his film follow suit, offering more insights into the man himself than the situation he lives in.

Jack sets off to America with a number of his close friends with the aim of having a J1 experience, something that was thought he might never do. Over the course of this journey he kayaks, visits spinal research facilities, encounters average Joes with stories of their own and even schmoozes with A-list celebrities. And I'm not spoiling anything by saying that, because, wonderfully, 'Breaking Boundaries' is devoid of any clear narrative goal or impulse. Jack heads off to the States with no inherent objective in mind aside from enjoying himself, something he has had difficulty doing since his injury.

With him as the centerpiece, the film abounds with moments of wit, humour, depth and even sadness. Most crucially, however, we begin to understand that his desire to break boundaries, to push the bar in every respect isn't tied to his paralysis; it's a cornerstone of his character. He is living, breathing life in a film that seeks only to document that.

Breaking Boundaries will leave you with a powerful sense of your own potential through Jack's story of strength and versatility. It encapsulates the incredible power and meaning behind friendship as the group head off on a journey through the United States. This journey is portrayed masterfully through the lens of Leen Tangney, who perfectly depicts the joys and struggles of their travels. Breaking Boundaries will leave you laughing, crying and speechless by the end. It is a truly great piece of work that defies the low budget (although, perhaps the budget was just one of the many boundaries they broke through to bring this story to fruition!)

Breaking Boundaries follows a group of friends on an adventure across the west coast of America. Centered around Jack Kavanagh and his journey, the group travels the length and breadth of California meeting many amazing people and sharing great experiences along the way. The tone of the documentary is extremely honest and it is not afraid to delve into many of the difficulties we can all face in life. The idea that limitations are only perceived is the recurring theme and the group embodies this throughout. Jack's willingness and ability to not let obstacles overcome him is a mark of his true character and an example from which we all can learn. The alternating highs and lows all through the film are empathetic for the viewer and give a real sense of authenticity to the group and their travels.

I thoroughly enjoyed this watch and feel that there is something that can be taken away from it by everyone. A credit to the group, the director and its producers, this film is so well put together and a must see for all.