Being Heumann
When Richard Nixon signed the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 into law, Section 504, which prohibited discrimination against the disabled where federal financial assistance was received, was left unsigned after major pushback from states, universities and hospitals because of the exorbitant costs associated with it. In 1977, a small woman in a wheelchair had had enough after calls to Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Joseph Califano (Mark Ruffalo) went unanswered, and so she encouraged over 100 activists and protestors outside of San Francisco's HEW building to occupy it, which they did for 28 days, the longest occupation of a Government building in U.S. history. Judy (Ruth Madeley) was advocating for people like her to be recognized as "Being Heumann."
Laura's Review: B
After winning the Best Picture Oscar for her sophomore feature "CODA" about a hearing teenager with deaf parents, cowriter (with Rebekah Taussig)/director Siân Heder ("Tallulah"), adapts Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner's novel with an ensemble largely cast with the disabled to honor the life of a major disability rights activist. Even those who may remember the protests which resulted in a sea change may take these things for granted now and those who do not will likely be shocked to see how people with disabilities were treated in this country as recently as the 1970's.
The film has a similar structure and build to 2023's "Rustin," about the outsider gay civil rights activist who organized a march on Washington, but Heder's got her remarkable ensemble plus copious amounts of humor in her favor, and thus a more entertaining film. But wisely, she kicks everything off by illustrating just how difficult life for the disabled is, Judy protesting the lack of sidewalk access, then stressing in the morning when she has to pee and her care aide is late. This will be reiterated later by activist Hale Zukas (Andrew Pilkington), a cerebral palsy sufferer in an electric wheelchair who used a helmet with a pointer and letter board to communicate that 'Disability is not a tragedy, it is a tremendous hassle.'
Watching the disabled storm San Francisco's HEW building is actually heartwarming, wheelchair bound Milton (Rio Finnegan) telling
Dennis (Charlie Rush-Reese), who is blind, to grab hold of his chair so he can lead him in. HEW Director Joseph Maldonado (Stephen Adly Guirgis, "Synecdoche, New York") is not moved or amused, however, calling Califano to report that 'I've got 100 cripples in my office!'
Judy will take charge, butting heads with Kitty Cone (Madeline Delp), who is more focused on the welfare of individuals, several of whom will leave when Judy's plan to stay overnight becomes public (she packed a toothbrush). Califano will encounter the Black Panthers, who arrive will trays of food to support the protestors, Ron Washington (D'Arcee Charington Neal) surprised to serve food to Black Panther Brad Lomax (Antwan Tolliver) in a wheelchair, unaware of how MS progressed. Mayor Mascone (Jeff Geddis) brings in bedding, further igniting Maldonado's wrath and he's probably not amused by the activists' sex tent set up in one of his hallways either. KGO-TV's Evan White (Dylan O'Brien, "Send Help"), so clueless when things began he didn't realize how Zukas was trying to communicate with him, becomes a staunch ally, only leaving the building to capture the protestors messaging from inside the building when their phone lines are cut off. Congressman Miller (Rob Delaney, TV's 'Dying for Sex') also gets involved, but there it is a big letdown when he arrives without Califano, who, rattled over just what to do, sends a representative instead. And so, the group decides that Judy and other leaders should head to D.C., Kitty and others staying behind to maintain their hold of the building.
Madeley is first among equals, the actress conveying Heumann's determination as well as her blind spots, nicely filled in by Delp, the two creating a lovely balance that eventually meets in the middle. Her brashness is underlined by her New York accent, but she also shows a feminine side responding to the flirtatious, able-bodied Jim Pechin (Jon Beavers, TV's 'Paradise'). Cast against type, Ruffalo is the picture of frustration, his liberal values tested by economic reality, the cost of 504 estimated at over $1 billion (in 1970's dollars!). Pilkington is a standout among the disabled activists, conveying a healthy sense of humor with the least ability to do so. The film also features "Cassandro's" Roberta Colindrez, a lesbian activist who takes on caretaking duties for Judy and who is with her in a D.C. bar when the news of Califano's signing is broadcast.
"Being Heumann" is a dense tale, not only of the series of obstacles (bomb threats!, U-Haul transports!) facing the activists, but of individual stories. Heder's timely film illustrates that in the U.S., people have historically struggled for civil rights, but that persistence pays off.
Apple TV+ releases "Being Heumann" in select theaters on 11/6/26, expanding and streaming on 11/13/26.
