by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
Leonhard, the brother of this film's scenarist Michael Lentz, is the subject of this unusual documentary. As Leonhard went through the rigors of being diagnosed and treated for throat cancer, eventually having a large portion of his throat removed, he kept a detailed diary. The pain and disruption brought into his life nearly cost him his sanity and threatened his habitual good cheer. However, he learned to talk again without the aid of a machine and enjoyed the final months of his life with something approaching his old gusto. Footage of the sufferer is paired with readings from his diary and interviews with family and friends.
