New film gives face to ALS

MANILA, Philippines - We’ve all seen the ice bucket challenge videos in which celebrities, public personalities and our next-door neighbors dump buckets of ice water on themselves to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

In the new movie You’re Not You, Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank (Boys Don’t Cry, Million Dollar Baby) takes things just a step further.

Swank plays Kate, a classical pianist diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative ailment in which a person gradually loses control over their muscles. First she stops playing the piano. Then she can’t walk. Soon, even talking becomes difficult.

Enter Bec, a young, directionless college student played by Emmy Rossum (Mystic River, The Day After Tomorrow). Despite being unqualified and inexperienced, Bec applies for a job to become Kate’s caregiver. Even more surprisingly, Kate hires her. In the course of their time together, the two women learn to find strength in each other and form an unlikely friendship.

Also starring is Josh Duhamel, who plays the role of Evan, Swank’s husband who fell prey to the difficulties his wife’s sickness has posed on their marriage. You’re Not You is based on the novel of the same name by Michelle Wildgen, and directed by George C. Wolfe.

Swank gives an unflinching portrayal of the disease and the suffering it inflicts on its victims, not just physically but also emotionallyóthe loss of the ability to do the seemingly mundane things and the toll it takes on the relationships we hold dearest.

You’re Not You is now showing nationwide.