"Murderball" review: The Ability in Disability

Ableism is the “devaluation of disability” and the resultant “societal attitudes that uncritically assert that it is better for a child to walk than roll, speak than sign, read print than read Braille, spell independently than use a spell-check, and hang out with nondisabled kids as opposed to other disabled kids” (Thomas Hehir qtd. in abbyjean). Ideas about disability are so engrained into society that the English language reflect them: calling someone “lame,” for example, implies they are uncool, but the original definition of “lame” regarded someone unable to move at least one body part (abbyjean). The 2005 documentary Murderball works to prove these stereotypes about disabled people wrong by showing that quadriplegics are capable of the same actions and emotions as walking people. They can even be intense Olympic athletes in quadriplegic rugby.

The film demonstrates its thesis by showing quadriplegics going through their lives on a daily basis. The beginning of the film, for instance, shows one of the rugby players putting groceries into the back of his car, then getting in it and driving away. This beats the stereotype of how “disabled” quadriplegics are; they are not incapable of simple tasks like people often assume. Quadriplegics are later shown in the movie dancing, flirting with women, swimming, and getting dressed. All of these actions beat the American stereotype that people in wheelchairs are dependent upon others to get around.

Another main part of the film’s thesis is that quadriplegics have the same emotions as everyone else. The film shows the players in a variety of emotions: angry, sad, ecstatic, prideful, passionate, content. Typical media stereotypes of disabled people assume they are all kind, stoic, inspiring people (Smith). But crude sexual talk, angry outbursts, and slide remarks by players prove this stereotype wrong. Quad rugby coach Joe is a good example of how incorrect this stereotype is. He is very hard on his 12-year-old son Robert, who happens to be unathletic. Robert prefers studious activities like schoolwork and classical music instead of playing sports. Joe picks on his son throughout the movie, saying that he needs the “tough love” in his life. Joe’s jerky attitude demonstrates how quadriplegics are capable of being intense and rude, just like walking people. It proves the stoic stereotype of disabled people wrong, while showing in a larger sense that they are just as humanly emotional as walking people.

 There was nothing in this film I felt was unconvincing, although there were a couple things I found uncomfortable to watch in general. It was hard to see the team lose in the end, because the film shows their passion for the sport, which gives viewers an emotional stake. It was moreover hard to witness how tough Joe is on Robert. At times, Joe seemed more emotionally invested in rugby than he was towards his son. I didn’t find this uncomfortable because specifically he is a quadriplegic, but because I disagree with his parenting style. Overall, I found the film to be incredibly convincing in showing that quadriplegics are capable by society’s standards of the word.

One point that stood out in the film was the idea that up to the first four years after an accident that leaves someone quadriplegic, the person can be very depressed. After that time, however, they seem to embrace their situation. This could be studied by asking people to rate on a scale of 1-10 to rate their mood after the first week of their accident, up to six years later. This question should be asked every two weeks on the same day each week to ensure consistency. Ideally, it would be asked by a variety of newly quadriplegic people across the country and of all ages. For a comparison, the same question set-up should be done to walking people. This format would show if attitudes do improve over time, like one of the quadriplegics in the film said.

Word count: 659

Works Cited

Abbyjean. "The Transcontinental Disability Choir: What Is Ableist Language and Why Should You Care?" Web log post. Bitchmedia. Bitch Magazine, 11 Nov. 2009. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

Murderball. Dir. Henry A. Rubin and Dana A. Shapiro. Perf. Mark Zupan and Joe Soares. Paramount Pictures, 2005. DVD.

Smith, S.e. "The Transcontinental Disability Choir: Disability Archetypes: The Good Cripple." Weblog post. Bitchmedia. Bitch Magazine, 7 Dec. 2009. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.