Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot

I watched this at home on DVD from our public library. My wife lasted 20 minutes, she left during the scene Callahan was vomiting into a water trough. As it turns out that was the very low point of the story.

This movie is based on the true story of John Callahan, general slacker who drank too much and at age 21 was rendered wheelchair bound in an auto accident during a night of heavy drinking. The internet tells us:

John Michael Callahan (February 5, 1951 - July 24, 2010) was a cartoonist, artist, and musician in Portland, Oregon, noted for dealing with macabre subjects and physical disabilities.

Joaquin Phoenix is very good in the role of John Callahan. During his recovery, and gaining partial use of his arms and hands, began drawing cartoons just for the fun of it. One of them was a wheelchair and the caption was the title of this movie. He became noticed and got a regular gig as a cartoonist.

The movie also shows a lot of the AA meetings he attended and his gradual recovery to sobriety. Good movie of a difficult subject. Not all viewers will enjoy it.