Blink Review: Journey of a Family Fighting Against Time and Blindness

As a parent, we often wish upon the stars, hoping for our children to live in a world filled with limitless possibilities. The twinkling lights of the night sky represent hope, dreams, and aspirations. But what if, one day, your children couldn’t see those stars? What if you were told they would lose their vision entirely? That harsh reality is what Edith and Sébastien Lemay-Pelletier faced with their three of their four children. Their story unfolds in the documentary Blink, a National Geographic Film that takes viewers on an emotionally charged and visually stunning journey across the world. This article will dive deep into the film, the family’s heart-wrenching reality, and the extraordinary journey they embarked on, capturing memories before darkness takes over.

A Family’s Unthinkable Diagnosis

Imagine having four children, each unique, and full of life. Mia, the eldest at 11, Leo at 9, Colin at 6, and Laurent, the baby of the family at just 4. Everything seemed perfect until a devastating diagnosis shattered their world: three of their children Mia, Colin, and Laurent have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative genetic disorder that leads to progressive blindness.

For Edith and Seb, this diagnosis was earth-shattering. Yet, instead of succumbing to despair, they decided to give their children a gift: a lifetime of visual memories. With this goal in mind, they set off on a global adventure, creating an unforgettable bucket list with their children. The film Blink chronicles their journey, highlighting not just the places they visit, but the poignant moments that define them as a family.

The Bucket List: A Journey of Sight and Memory

Rather than focusing solely on the scientific reality of their children’s diagnosis, the Lemay-Pelletier family chose to live. They crafted a bucket list, not of expensive or extravagant dreams, but of experiences that would stay etched in their children’s minds long after their vision fades.

From the excitement of tasting exotic fruits to the thrill of riding a hot air balloon, the family embarked on adventures that spanned multiple continents. Their journey took them through rainforests, mountains, and deserts, each destination offering new and vivid experiences to store away in their children’s memory banks. Along the way, they stayed in humble homesteads, immersed themselves in diverse cultures, and connected with people from all walks of life.

The film isn’t just a travelogue; it’s an emotional journey. It’s about love, resilience, and determination, showing the lengths parents will go to create lasting memories for their children. Every moment becomes precious when the sands of time are slipping through your fingers.

Limited Budget, Unlimited Adventure

While many families dream of bucket list vacations, few would imagine doing so on a tight budget of $200 per day. But the Lemay-Pelletiers made it work. They didn’t stay in luxurious hotels or dine in Michelin-star restaurants. Instead, they focused on meaningful, simple experiences exploring local cultures, sharing meals with host families, and staying in homes that reflected the heart and soul of the places they visited.

This approach gave the family more than just a series of picturesque destinations. It allowed them to forge deep connections with the people they met, from locals in the rainforests to indigenous tribes in remote regions. These encounters were far more valuable than the cost of a five-star hotel, creating an enriching experience that goes beyond sightseeing.

Capturing the Essence of Life

Blink doesn’t just capture the physical journey of the Lemay-Pelletier family. It’s a reflection on how we experience life. In one sequence, while staying with an Indigenous community in a rainforest, Edith and Seb take part in a pre-dawn dream analysis ceremony, learning about the importance of spirituality and how different cultures process emotions. In another heart-to-heart conversation, Mia and her mother talk about what it means to experience the world without sight, a moment that brings both sadness and strength to the forefront.

The documentary, just 90 minutes long, doesn’t aim to overwhelm with exotic locations or dramatic storytelling. Instead, it gently draws you into the intimate moments of a family struggling with the future, showing how even the smallest experiences a sunrise, a conversation, or a smile can become monumental when faced with the impending loss of sight.

Learning to See Without Eyes

One of the film’s most touching themes is the idea that seeing goes beyond what our eyes can perceive. The Lemay-Pelletier children are learning to experience the world through touch, sound, and emotion. They are discovering new ways to communicate, not just with each other, but with the world around them. This is beautifully illustrated when the kids check off one of their most heart warming bucket list items: making friends in other countries.

Through play, laughter, and shared experiences, they form connections that transcend language barriers. It’s a reminder that some of the most profound relationships in life are built not on words, but on feelings, gestures, and shared moments. These friendships are a testament to the family’s resilience and a reminder that while the children may lose their sight, they will never lose their ability to connect with the world around them.

The Challenges of Filmmaking Through a Child’s Eyes

Filmmakers Edmund Stenson and Daniel Roher approached Blink with a unique challenge: capturing the world through the eyes of children who are slowly losing their vision. The visuals are breath taking, not just because of the locations, but because of the intention behind them. Every shot is a memory in the making, a visual gift that the children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Stenson and Roher took inspiration from films like Tree of Life by Terrence Malick, aiming to keep the camera at the children’s eye level, capturing their perspective of the world. This gave the film a childlike innocence, allowing the audience to experience the joy, wonder, and occasional confusion that comes with being a child on a great adventure.

Additionally, the sound design of the film plays an equally crucial role. Knowing that the children will one day rely on their other senses, the filmmakers paid special attention to the auditory landscape everything from the calls of animals in the wild to the soft whispers of their mother’s voice. These sounds will linger long after the visuals fade, providing comfort and connection in a world that is becoming increasingly dark for Mia, Colin, and Laurent.

A Story of Resilience and Hope

Despite the devastating diagnosis and the looming challenges ahead, Blink is, at its core, a story of hope. Edith and Seb aren’t portrayed as superheroes or extraordinary individuals. They are simply parents who want to give their children the best life possible. Their story resonates because it’s relatable. Every parent, when faced with a difficult situation, will do whatever it takes to give their children a future filled with love, joy, and memories.

The family’s ability to maintain an optimistic outlook in the face of such adversity is inspiring. They don’t dwell on what’s being lost; instead, they focus on what they can still give to their children. As the film progresses, you see each child’s unique qualities come to life, and by the end, you feel as though you know them not just as characters in a documentary, but as real people with hopes, dreams, and fears.

The Bigger Picture: What Blink Teaches Us About Life

Blink isn’t just about a family dealing with blindness. It’s about how we all face challenges in life, and how we choose to respond. As director Roher eloquently puts it, “What do you do when the world throws you something? How do you react?”

The film serves as a reminder that life is fragile and fleeting, and that the most precious moments are often the simplest. It encourages us to live fully, to embrace the people we love, and to create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s watching a desert sunset or laughing with friends, these moments are the true gifts of life.

As Blink opens in theaters, it will undoubtedly touch the hearts of many, reminding us all that while we can’t control the future, we can choose how we live in the present. It’s a story of love, family, and the indomitable human spirit. And in the end, it’s a powerful reminder that while we may not always be able to wish upon the stars, we can create our own light in the darkness.