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Movies / On DVD / Emmanuel's Gift
Emmanuel's Gift

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Emmanuel's Gift (2005)

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Reviews Counted:21

Fresh:17

Rotten:4

Average Rating:6.4/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 82 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Oct 21, 2005 Limited

Synopsis: If you are born disabled in Ghana, West Africa you are likely to be poisoned, or left to die by your family; if you are not poisoned or left for dead, you're likely to be hidden away in a room; and... If you are born disabled in Ghana, West Africa you are likely to be poisoned, or left to die by your family; if you are not poisoned or left for dead, you're likely to be hidden away in a room; and if you're not hidden, you are destined to spend your lifetime begging on the streets. Of the twenty million people in Ghana, two million are disabled. This is the story of one disabled man whose mission --- and purpose --- is to change all that forever. In "Emmanuel's Gift," filmmakers Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern have uncovered a story as compelling as it is important. Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, the film chronicles the life of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a young Ghanaian man born with a severely deformed right leg, who today, against incalculable odds, is opening minds, hearts and doors --- and effecting social and political change throughout his country. While Emmanuel's message is vital --- People with disabilities are valuable contributors to any society --- his method is inspirational. With only one leg, Emmanuel begins his courageous quest with a 600-kilometer bicycle ride across Ghana, spreading his vision of grit and resolve with each turn of the bike's pedals. Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern have been documenting Emmanuel's plight for over two years, having shot over 400 hours of powerful footage. The film includes original footage shot in Ghana, California, Oregon and New York, as well as photographs and other acquired film and video of Emmanuel's early years. Through it all, they have created an intimate insight into the mind and heart of a courageous, awe inspiring, heroic visionary, one whose unforgettable journey transcends continents and cultures to become a vision shared by each of us. --© First Look Pictures [More]


Studio: First Look

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Release:

Feb 14, 2006

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, Emmanuel's Gift tells the story of a disabled orphan in Ghana, West Africa, whose father abandoned him, village dismissed him, and country thought him better off dead. This is the story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who had nothing, but gave everything--and changed a nation forever.
  • Source: First Look Home Entertainment
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    Reviews for Emmanuel's Gift

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
    08/16/07
    Geoff Andrew
    Geoff Andrew
    Time Out New York

    [It] is essentially a too-long overcoming-the-odds clip that helps fill up a hole or two in the Olympics TV schedule. Back to you, Bob Costas.

    Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | comment Comment
    04/04/06
    David Cornelius
    David Cornelius
    DVDTalk.com
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    02/09/06
    Time Out

    [E]xtra poignant not just because it's true but also because of the refusal of directors Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern to pander to easy sentiment or to place Yeboah on a pedestal of superhumanity...

    Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | comment Comment
    01/03/06
    MaryAnn Johanson
    MaryAnn Johanson
    Flick Filosopher

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat

    ...a wonderfully inspiring film about overcoming disabilities and not forgetting others who also share your problems.

    Full Review Source: Entertainment Insiders | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Jonathan W. Hickman
    Jonathan W. Hickman
    Entertainment Insiders

    An inspiring documentary about a charismatic and determined young man who almost single-handedly has changed the way the disabled are treated in Ghana, Africa.

    Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
    12/04/05
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice

    While Emmanuel's Gift has a moving story to tell, it does so in a less than compelling manner.

    Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
    11/29/05
    Frank Scheck
    Frank Scheck
    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Oprah Winfrey is almost too good at narration.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
    11/24/05
    Phil Villarreal
    Phil Villarreal
    Arizona Daily Star

    Emmanuel's Gift is certainly not a bad movie. It's just a case of good intentions unintentionally interfering with a great story.

    Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
    11/03/05
    Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
    Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
    Atlanta Journal-Constitution
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    10/29/05
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    A documentary about Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a one-legged young man from Ghana, Africa, who overcame his handicap to ride a bicycle across his country, among other amazing achievements.

    Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
    10/28/05
    V.A. Musetto
    V.A. Musetto
    New York Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Unfortunately, the sound-bite journalism of filmmakers Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern glosses over the larger unanswered questions in the documentary.

    Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
    10/22/05
    Maria Garcia
    Maria Garcia
    Film Journal International

    Yeboah is so levelheaded about his own accomplishments that the swelling score and emotional narration from Oprah Winfrey feel embarrassingly sentimental.

    Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
    10/21/05
    Elizabeth Weitzman
    Elizabeth Weitzman
    New York Daily News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Directed in the breathless inspirational tones of an infomercial, the film's an acceptable document of a thoroughly remarkable individual.

    Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
    10/21/05
    Ty Burr
    Ty Burr
    Boston Globe
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Oprah Winfrey narrates, so you know this is a tear-jerking story of triumph through and through. With a little more production, heck, it could've been a sweeps-week ratings bonanza.

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    10/21/05
    E! Online

    Emmanuel's Gift is a powerful story of political change almost smothered by contrivance.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    10/20/05
    Jeannette Catsoulis
    Jeannette Catsoulis
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Emmanuel's Gift isn't great, but the story is and so, unquestionably, is Emmanuel himself.

    Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
    10/20/05
    Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
    Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
    St. Paul Pioneer Press

    This film becomes memorable through the sheer force of Emmanuel's personality: his ready smile, his intent gaze, his fierce resolution and the way he keeps moving forward, against all barriers.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    10/20/05
    Michael Wilmington
    Michael Wilmington
    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
    10/20/05
    AV Club
     
     
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