Our take
Even if it doesn’t provide the most comprehensive information about treatment and care for multiple sclerosis (MS)—especially for those who can’t afford a ridiculously expensive stem cell transplant—this isn’t really the point of Introducing, Selma Blair. This is still mostly a biographical documentary about a (self-confessed) “not-so-famous” celebrity, who gets to be incredibly honest about some of the privilege she enjoys, and how that privilege still doesn’t make MS any easier. Blair’s determination, her sense of humor, and her articulate way of expressing herself keep the film from descending into total sadness, but it also never shies away from the uglier, more difficult parts of her journey.
The story
In a quest to take control of her personal health, actor Selma Blair adapts to new ways of living while pursuing an experimental medical procedure, after revealing her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2018.
Elsewhere
"Blair's open-hearted nature makes her a fine fit for any fact-based film, and she is just as ready to talk about the minutiae of her ailments as she is taking the audience through some of the more salacious bits of her life."
— Kate Erbland
"It's impossible to watch Introducing, Selma Blair and not feel deeply moved."
— Christy Lemire
Actress Selma Blair works through multiple sclerosis, after being diagnosed with it in 2018.
There's a striking lack of vanity on Blair's part as director Rachel Fleit follows her throughout this long, arduous, continuing process. And while some might argue that a celebrity presenting themselves struggling can still come off like vanity, it really does feel like Blair is doing this not for herself but for anyone else who might be going through the same thing. This is probably most evident when her disease starts to get significantly worse toward the latter parts of the film—and her normally tough, tongue-in-cheek personality all but deflates. And you suddenly find yourself hoping she'll get back to all her wisecracking self.
Words to live by: "We have a long time to be dead. And I spent so long trying to [...] figure out how to be alive by being half-dead. And now I just want to help other people feel better."
The details
Mr. Bachmann and His Class
Female director & Maria Speth
Diego Maradona
Asif Kapadia
Fifi Howls from Happiness
Mitra Farahani
The Other Dream Team
Marius A. Markevicius & Marius Markevicius
Wojnarowicz
Chris McKim
Aswang
Alyx Ayn Arumpac
Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story
Adam Carolla & Nate Adams
Gather
Sanjay Rawal
Who picked it
Emil Hofileña is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. He also writes as a theater critic, with work published in Rogue and Out of Print, among others. He’s probably crying over a movie or an episode as we speak.
