Come As You Are.

Available on multiple streaming platforms and Sky Cinema in the UK.

Richard Wongs Come As You Are is based on the real life experience of Asta Philpot a young man with a disability who travelled to Amsterdam for his first sexual experience.

In this remake of earlier Belgian and Dutch versions, we find our three protagonists Scotty (Grant Rosenmey) a 24 yr old quadriplegic, Mo (Ravi Patel) a blind man in his mid 30’s and Matt (Hayden Szeto) who after an accident finds himself wheelchair bound. Scotty is frustrated by his sexual desires and a realisation he can do nothing about it. But, when caught gazing at the girlfriend of another wheelchair bound man, he shares with Scotty the secrets of a brothel over the border in Montreal, designed to cater for “people like them”. This inspires him to plan a road trip, he hires a van with a driver, Sam (Gabourey Sidibe) and ropes in Matt and Mo to join him on his adventure.

What we have here is a funny, warm and charming road trip comedy. It definitely uses many of the classic road trip movie tropes. The comedy is layered and balances well between laughs and some smart and subtle looks at the challenges of disability and trying to live a “normal” life.

All of this built on really good performances by the four main characters as well as good support especially from Janeane Garafalo, Jennifer Jelsema and C.S Lee as the worried parents. All done in a way that never felt condescending or playing for sympathy.

The story also has some really warm and emotional moments that land well. Which included for me a well judged final act.

It would be remiss not to point out something that is potentially problematic in the casting of three able bodied actors in the lead roles. To their credit I felt they did a fine job of portraying the difficulties that came with their individual challenges. But I understand that for some this will feel uncomfortable.

That said, this was the most enjoyable comedy I’ve seen in quite a while. Funny with a warm heart and a set of characters who worked well together and were extremely likeable. With a layered story and a smart audience pleasing, if predictable end.