Adam Pearson grew up watching movies but never saw his disability reflected on screen. Following an acting role opposite Scarlett Johansson, his life changes as he’s plunged into an unwanted spotlight, but an unlikely friendship encourages him to enjoy taking centre stage. Here’s why you should watch it!
We get to join Adam Pearson on a Decade Long Journey!
In 2013, Adam Pearson was first seen on screen in Jonathan Glazer’s science fiction adaptation, Under the Skin. Over the next ten years, we follow him in a moving portrait that chronicles his return to screen in 2024. It’s wonderful to be able to join someone for a prolonged amount of time, through footage and memories, learning about the falls and triumphs. It feels like we’re watching a therapy session at times, Adam talking about his deepest fears and delicately allowing us in to see.
It’s Shot Beautifully!
Flickers of projector light against dark cinema seats welcome us into the filmic world of someone’s everyday reality. Director Edward Lovelace and Cinematographer Ruben Woodin Dechamps work together to make this documentary feel like a scripted tale, with no name cards, no official interviews, and no holding back on atmospheric shots that flow seamlessly between Adam’s archive, phone calls and rehearsal rooms.
We get to witness an incredible friendship!
One day, Adam gets a message that a young girl has received a similar diagnosis to him. Her mother wants her to speak to someone who has been through the ups and downs of neurofibromatosis. From their initial chat, Ellie and Adam become a brilliant pair, joined by much more than their shared medical similarities. Film and performing to support and care, the documentary wonderfully captures a friendship between two people who are actively being brave as well as just trying to be their most authentic selves.
It’s a love letter to our favourite films!
Adam begins by talking about the movies he loved whilst growing up, and how the stories stayed with him. Forrest Gump, Legally Blonde, Toy Story, we all have films we see ourselves in, relating to the struggles that the characters face, hoping for their similar victories. Adam uses these to explain to the audience how he felt at certain points in his life, helping us understand more behind the man so many have taken at face value.
Stunningly insightful, Zero Intention of Living Quietly is an emotional behind the scenes look into actor Adam Pearson’s personal life, beautifully told with vulnerability and fun.
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