Help me find media that romanticizes physical rehab after injury

February 22, 2013 10:05 PM

I am looking for media (films, books, tv shows) that romanticize, and put in a positive light, the slow, painful steps of physical rehabilitation and strengthening after injury (from sports preferably).

I am looking for media (films, books, tv shows, youtube videos) that romanticize, and put in a positive light, the slow, painful steps of physical rehabilitation and strengthening after injury (from sports preferably).

I have been injured and will be having hamstring surgery and will be doing rehabilitation for probably 6 months, without basketball or soccer, this will be a difficult time, and I want to re-shift my view of rehab and strengthening to something as honorable, tough, hard but rewarding, and meaningful. There must be some movies out there, it doesn't have to be sports, or even a physical injury, but overcoming a similar adversity through slow patient progress would be enough.

Thanks a lot.

posted by crawltopslow to media & arts (14 answers total)

You probably didn't mean romanticize literally, but this is a fairly common theme in romance novels.
posted by vegartanipla at 10:35 PM on February 22

"Holding on to his knee, holding on to his knee and down" not working for you? License to Lillard shows how Damian Lillard (point guard for the Blazers, probable ROY) broke his foot and came back even better. It has several episodes leading up to draft night.
posted by acidic at 10:37 PM on February 22

There is a sports rehab plot in the first season of Friday Night Lights...the character in question has an injury that he will never fully recover from, so maybe it's not what you're looking for, but his rehab is also portrayed in a very positive and somewhat romanticized light.
posted by phoenixy at 10:58 PM on February 22

"holding on to his knee and down" is really good! , downloading License to Lillard now.. keep 'em coming everybody
posted by crawltopslow at 11:24 PM on February 22

In Battleship, actual veteran and double amputee Gregory D. Gadson has a number of scenes in rehab and ends up fighting aliens with his physiotherapist. You can't get more romanticized than that.
posted by elgilito at 12:50 AM on February 23 [1 favorite]

Robert B. Parker's Small Vices centers on Boston private investigator Spenser's recovery after being shot.
posted by nicwolff at 3:28 AM on February 23

If you count horse riding as a sport, maybe Seabiscuit? Can't remember how much of the film is devoted to the rehabilitation process, but I do remember that the jockey has to come back from an injury.

Or The Cutting Edge, for figure skating . . .
posted by thesnowyslaps at 3:39 AM on February 23

Check out The Flying Scotsman, which is about Graeme Obree overcoming depression to become the fastest cyclist in the world.
posted by Lieber Frau at 6:42 AM on February 23

Actually, there are several sports rehab plots in Friday Night Lights--one in season 3, and one in season 4 as well, I believe. Those injuries are less severe than the one in the first season, and may be more up your alley.

If you haven't watched Friday Night Lights already, you should give it a shot regardless because the show is truly excellent.
posted by dysh at 6:52 AM on February 23 [1 favorite]

The HeadCrusher from Kids in the Hall rehab
posted by Jazz Hands at 6:53 AM on February 23

I've seen every episode of Friday Night Lights at least twice :) Everything's looking good so far, keep 'em coming.
posted by crawltopslow at 6:59 AM on February 23 [1 favorite]

The House episode "Chase" from the final season. Not sure if it really romanticizes physical therapy, but it's one of the best House episodes IMO.
posted by puritycontrol at 7:13 AM on February 23

The documentary film Undefeated is not about any one player, but one of the players gets badly injured and must sit out almost every game. A relatively small amount of screen time is devoted to him, but his story is one of the most emotionally powerful. It's on Netflix instant right now (I watched it yesterday).
posted by Green With You at 1:21 PM on February 23

which the cutting edge? there are many films with that name, and a 1 2 and 3.
posted by crawltopslow at 9:27 PM on February 28