Judy Heumann, confined to a wheelchair and looking to improve the lives of people with disabilities, stages a sit-in at a government building, which catches the attention of people around the nation. Meanwhile, Secretary Califano, who presides of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, finds himself struggling with difficult decisions regarding implementing legislation and what it could cost the American taxpayer. Against all odds, Heumann and her followers continue to crusade for what they believe in.
Judy Heumann’s name may not be immediately recognizable, but given the efforts she put forth over the years for equality with those with disabilities, that’s truly sad. BEING HEUMANN is based on Heumann’s memoir of the same name, exploring the efforts she and her fellow crusaders, suffering from a wide variety of disabilities and means of discrimination, took to change the world for the better, and to get their struggles noticed. It’s well cast and performed despite a lack of A-list actors, and is a stranger-than-fiction odyssey that must be seen to be believed, equal parts dramatic and laugh-out-loud comedic, yet the comedy doesn’t come at the expense of the efforts of those involved with making these efforts and legislations a reality. BEING HEUMANN may be too long and try a bit too hard to get its point across, but it’s one of the unexpected cinematic surprises of 2026.
BEING HEUMANN shines brightest with its leading lady, Ruth Madeley. Unflinching in her efforts despite being bound to a wheelchair, she stops at nothing to get her point across in an effort to improve conditions in America for those with disabilities. Madeley is able to walk the necessary fine line this role requires, without it ever devolving into caricature or parody. While the other actors/characters in the film, ranging from fellow people with disabilities to reporters and members of the United States Government all give good performances, Madeley is the standout in the film. I wasn’t familiar with her prior to seeing BEING HEUMANN, but I’ll definitely be checking out more of her work!
One of the true surprises of BEING HEUMANN is that it somehow manages to balance gripping drama of crusaders fighting for what’s right for the disabled, to some of the more comedic stranger-than-fiction elements on display. Protests seen in the film have unexpected consequences and obstacles for both sides. Not everything goes the way either side plans. The results are tragic and comedic in equal quantities. I came into BEING HEUMANN expecting the movie to make points about the struggles the disabled once faced in our nation… but I didn’t expect to walk away laughing as much as I did. The laughs don’t come at the expense of the handicapped nor do they undermine the struggles seen in the film, which is the biggest and best thing BEING HEUMANN has going for it.
The biggest problem with the film is Mark Ruffalo’s performance as Secretary Califano. Ruffalo is a fantastic actor (this guy can do more than the Incredible Hulk), but the script makes him a one-dimensional “villain” who’s completely unsympathetic and uninteresting. I’ll admit I’m not overly familiar with the real-life people and situations depicted in this film, but I can’t imagine the real Califano being this horrible of a human being. Likewise, the movie’s running time of just over two hours is a bit too long, with movie often trying too hard to make its point. Still, the good outweighs the bad.
BEING HEUMANN tells the true story of a struggle to improve lives in America for people with disabilities, and the people who made it happen. It’s hard-hitting and relevant, and at times, surprisingly funny (but the laughs don’t come at the expense of the story or the activists depicted here). Flawed but still powerful, this one gets a high recommendation.