The world would be a far better place were there more adults like Philip Wohl in it. The fact that Mr. Wohl happens to be an imbecile is beside the point. I refer to the human subject's childlike manner and admirable innocence, more than anything else. Philip's mental incompetence notwithstanding, here's a model of a gentleman if ever there was one. Mild-mannered and mannerly, the poor fellow wouldn't even know how to spell ego, let alone be able to define the word. Which is to say, Wohl is about as humble as they get.
BEST BOY was directed by a little known documentarian named Ira Wohl, whose feeble-minded cousin, the adorable 'Philly,' is the focus of the film.
Philip Wohl certainly makes for a compelling case study in what it is like to live as someone with special needs. Here's a 52-year-old of whom it is said has the mental capacity of a 5-year-old. (Philly says he's 16 but he's fooling no one but himself.) It comes as no surprise to find Mr. Wohl still living at home, with his aged parents -- mother Pearl (75) and father Max (78).
No doubt there are some people who would think that to be born an imbecile would be absolutely awful, but as we learn from watching BEST BOY, imbecility can have its advantages. Consider that Philly doesn't have to work for a living, getting to spend every day lounging about the house. He is doted upon by a supportive if not overprotective mother. He knows nothing of the cold adult world beyond his windows and appears blissfully ignorant as to his own mortality. For Philly, every day is like a holiday. As Mr. Wohl's daddy tells it: "He's a boss. He eats eight times a day. He does what he pleases." (And here we thought only kings and commoners among the leisure class get to live the good life.)
Mama, meanwhile, sees things a little differently. Although Pearl loves her baby boy immensely, she confesses that caring for a dependent of this nature and for as long as she has can at times be mentally draining and a burden. At one point in the film we hear Pearl express her displeasure with God, feeling not so much blessed as punished in having been given a mental incompetent for a son. Saddened is she, however, when the day comes to send Philly off to a training center for those with learning disabilities, leaving her feeling like an empty nester.
Some of the best moments in the film are when director Ira takes his cousin out and about on day trips. We watch Philly visit the local zoo, take a ride in a cable car, try his hand at shooting hoops, and perform the box step with his lady friend. Surprisingly, Philly is not the least bit uncomfortable when away from home and out in the world -- rather sociable and quite independent-at-heart as he is. And, as an aside, the guy can sing the words to that golden oldie, "Anniversary Song" probably just as coherently as anyone one of us could.
As for Philly being able to tell time simply by holding a watch up to his ear, well, that's a whole other matter.
BEST BOY was directed by a little known documentarian named Ira Wohl, whose feeble-minded cousin, the adorable 'Philly,' is the focus of the film.
Philip Wohl certainly makes for a compelling case study in what it is like to live as someone with special needs. Here's a 52-year-old of whom it is said has the mental capacity of a 5-year-old. (Philly says he's 16 but he's fooling no one but himself.) It comes as no surprise to find Mr. Wohl still living at home, with his aged parents -- mother Pearl (75) and father Max (78).
No doubt there are some people who would think that to be born an imbecile would be absolutely awful, but as we learn from watching BEST BOY, imbecility can have its advantages. Consider that Philly doesn't have to work for a living, getting to spend every day lounging about the house. He is doted upon by a supportive if not overprotective mother. He knows nothing of the cold adult world beyond his windows and appears blissfully ignorant as to his own mortality. For Philly, every day is like a holiday. As Mr. Wohl's daddy tells it: "He's a boss. He eats eight times a day. He does what he pleases." (And here we thought only kings and commoners among the leisure class get to live the good life.)
Mama, meanwhile, sees things a little differently. Although Pearl loves her baby boy immensely, she confesses that caring for a dependent of this nature and for as long as she has can at times be mentally draining and a burden. At one point in the film we hear Pearl express her displeasure with God, feeling not so much blessed as punished in having been given a mental incompetent for a son. Saddened is she, however, when the day comes to send Philly off to a training center for those with learning disabilities, leaving her feeling like an empty nester.
Some of the best moments in the film are when director Ira takes his cousin out and about on day trips. We watch Philly visit the local zoo, take a ride in a cable car, try his hand at shooting hoops, and perform the box step with his lady friend. Surprisingly, Philly is not the least bit uncomfortable when away from home and out in the world -- rather sociable and quite independent-at-heart as he is. And, as an aside, the guy can sing the words to that golden oldie, "Anniversary Song" probably just as coherently as anyone one of us could.
As for Philly being able to tell time simply by holding a watch up to his ear, well, that's a whole other matter.