From very early on into the film I couldn't believe how brilliant it was, so gripping and amazing acting. Thoroughly enjoyed it such a wonderful true love story.

A true story of a polio victim who did not want the disease to defeat him and in the process invented equipment that improved the lives of the disabled.

Newlyweds Robin and Diana Cavendish are entering a happy family life when Robin is suddenly struck by polio and left paralysed from the neck down, dependent on a ventilator to breathe. The medical profession regard their job as ending at preventing him from dying. Robin is not interested in existing on that basis, but Diana wants him to see their son grow up and so a plot is hatched to create a mobile ventilator and, against all medical advice, remove him from hospital and take him home. Robin not only enjoys a full life, but becomes a forceful and active advocate on behalf of emancipating the profoundly handicapped from imprisonment in hospital.This adaptation of Robin and Diana Cavendish's life story is (co-)produced by their son Andrew, and directed by Andy Serkis, better known for his motion-capture performances as Gollum, King Kong, and chimpanzee Caesar. On the basis of this film, he is an accomplished director.This is not a naturally happy subject - the central character is paralysed for life early on - but it is thoroughly engaging in the telling, profoundly uplifting and inspirational, and often surprisingly funny.It is helped enormously by Andrew Garfield as Robin (Claire Foy as Diana is also very good, although the role is pretty thankless). The depths of his despair are not shied away from, but the Robin portrayed in this film is a funny, happy man who almost glows with joy. Far from being simply not dead, and notwithstanding his total reliance on machinery and his support team of family and friends, the Robin Cavendish portrayed in this film truly Lives.This is that rarity, a worthy film which is also enormously entertaining and emotional.

A very good drama based on a true story about the life of a young man who suffers from polio and how that affects and even strengthens his relationship with his wife. Andy Serkis' directional debut feels like he has been doing it his whole life. A very well structured and composed film. He perfectly uses his two leading actors Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy. Especially Garfield turns into a brilliant performance that reminded me on a young Tom Hanks. Once again a great job. Also Foy shines and gives the film the right heart and soul. The look is great, the music is wonderful. Sometimes the film suffered from several lengths but I did not mind it. The ending is more than heartbreaking and really got directly into the heart. I wonder why this film did not receive more attention last year. Sure it feels like your annual Oscar begging film about disability and that might be right, but its also a good film in general that really contains noteworthy performances. Nice job Andy Serkis, looking forward to your future efforts.