Watch Defining Hope

Defining Hope is an extraordinary documentary from 2017, directed by Carolyn Jones. The film aims to answer a profound question: what exactly does it mean to have hope? Through interviews with healthcare professionals, hospice workers, and patients, Defining Hope takes its audience on a unique journey that demonstrates how hope can be a powerful force for healing.

The documentary begins by illustrating how difficult it can be to define hope. Various healthcare professionals express their opinions on the meaning of hope, with some arguing that it is simply a form of denial, while others believe it is something vital that helps patients live productive and meaningful lives. As the film progresses, the audience gets a deep sense of how hope operates in various medical settings, particularly in the care of terminally ill patients.

Throughout the documentary, we meet individuals who are fighting serious illnesses, including Rudolph Bilotti Sr., a retired postal worker and widower with advanced lung cancer. Bilotti acts as the main focus of the film, sharing his thoughts and experiences on what hope means to him. He is a symbol of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of the desire to live, even in the face of death.

The movie also introduces us to the medical professionals who take care of Bilotti and several other patients. Dr. BJ Miller, a palliative care physician who lost three limbs in an electrical accident, is one of the main caregivers featured in Defining Hope. Miller shares his own story of hope and perseverance, using his experience to connect with patients who are struggling with their own illnesses. Other healthcare workers, like nurse Alissa Cruz and chaplain Kevin Deegan, share their everyday experiences with patients and explain how they use hope as a fundamental resource in patient care.

The documentary also touches on the complex choices that doctors and patients face when it comes to medical treatment options. We see Bilotti making difficult decisions with his family's support, and we learn how healthcare professionals help patients understand the medical options available to them. The film becomes a meditation on the complexities of end-of-life decisions, such as choosing whether to undergo treatment that might extend life but cause significant side effects.

Throughout the film, we are given glimpses of the lives of patients who are part of a hospice program, receiving compassionate end-of-life care. These sections are powerful and moving, showing how the care that hospice workers provide not only relieves physical pain but also provides emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families.

One of the most compelling aspects of Defining Hope is the way it explores the notion that hope is not limited to a particular circumstance. Even when faced with the terminal prognosis of their illness, patients, caregivers, and family members find that hope can exist in small moments of joy, companionship, and love. The documentary examines the many ways that hope can be a powerful force for healing and comfort, proving that there are no limits to the human spirit.

Overall, Defining Hope provides a deep and moving reflection on end-of-life care, the meaning of hope, and the power of the human spirit. It is a must-watch for anyone who has faced a serious illness or knows someone who has. The film offers a message of hope and strength that will touch the hearts of viewers and leave them inspired.

Defining Hope is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.