Take My Hand is based on the true story of an Australian woman at the peak of her career in London who is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Source: Australian Catholics.
Stories based on real people, especially about illnesses, always have an emotional appeal and that is the case here.
The film opens vigorously with horses racing through the beautiful countryside and coastal beaches of New South Wales’ Northern Rivers.
Riding the the horses, is Laura (Fraser), a teenager who is finishing her school studies and applying to British universities. She has some tensions with her strict schoolteacher father, support from her mother, who is showing early signs of MS.
As with her riding, Laura is independent and determined.
The young Laura encounters Michael (Molyneux) and there is mutual attraction. We see Laura’s strong-mindedness in the relationship and witness the new couple’s dilemma about her education and leaving Australia. Michael is supportive of Laura’s choice to leave for the UK.
Then the film takes an unexpected transition of 20 years. This time, Laura, now played by Radha Mitchell, is a successful businesswoman, married to the also-successful Jason and mother of three young boys.
One day, at the football, she faints. She is diagnosed with MS and deals with the aftermath of receiving life-changing news. This is complicated by her company’s decisions about her future and her relationship with Jason.
Ultimately, Laura decides to relocate with her sons to Australia, where she re-encounters Michael (now played by Adam Demos). Laura is faced with difficult questions about love, health, loss of independence, and the future.
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC, Jesuit Media
Take My Hand: Starring Radha Mitchell, Adam Demos, Bart Edwards, Meg Fraser, Xavier Molyneux, Darren Gilshenan. Directed by John Raftopolous. 102 minutes. Rated M (Mature themes and coarse language).
FULL STORY
Take My Hand (Australian Catholics)
