Watch Mondays at Racine

Mondays at Racine is a touching documentary about two sisters, Cynthia and Rachel Sakai, who run a hair salon in Long Island, New York. Every third Monday of the month, their salon, Racine, opens its doors to cancer patients for free. The film follows the lives of five women, who are in different stages of cancer treatment, as they undergo a day of beauty, relaxation, and empowerment.

The documentary starts by introducing the two sisters, Cynthia and Rachel Sakai, who own the salon. They are two strong women who are passionate about using their skills to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. They believe that by providing a day of pampering, they give patients a much-needed boost of confidence and self-esteem.

The first cancer patient we meet is Karla, a mother of two who has been battling breast cancer for over a year. Karla is a vibrant woman, with a sense of humor that lights up the screen. As she sits in the hair salon chair, she talks about the struggles of living with cancer, especially as a mother. Karla shares intimate details about the toll that the disease has taken on her relationship with her husband and children.

Next, we meet Sue, an elderly woman who is fighting pancreatic cancer. Sue is a gentle soul, who is quietly resigned to her fate. She talks about her past, her family, and her regrets. As she gets her nails done, she shares moments of her life with the audience. The film shows how the salon has created a safe space where cancer patients can share their stories and find comfort in the company of others who are going through the same struggles.

The documentary also features Maria, a young mother who is battling leukemia. Maria is an energetic woman who refuses to let cancer beat her down. As she is getting her wig styled, she talks about her dreams for the future and her hopes for her children. The salon becomes a haven for Maria, where she can feel like a normal person, even though she is going through an incredibly challenging time in her life.

Another woman that we meet is Millie, a grandmother who has been battling breast cancer for over ten years. Millie is one of the most inspiring people in the documentary. She is a fighter who refuses to give up, no matter how difficult her journey becomes. Millie shows that even in the face of the most daunting challenges, it is possible to find strength and hope.

Finally, we meet Cathy, a woman who has overcome cancer and is now thriving. Cathy is an example of how a cancer diagnosis can change a person's perspective on life. She shares her journey with the audience, and we get to see how the salon helped her during her treatment.

Throughout the documentary, we see the love, care, and empathy that Cynthia, Rachel, and their staff put into the services they offer. The salon becomes more than just a place where cancer patients can get their hair or nails done. It becomes a community where people can share their experiences and find comfort in the fact that they are not alone.

The documentary is a heartwarming and emotional portrayal of the human spirit. It shows how ordinary people can use their skills and resources to make a difference in the lives of others. Mondays at Racine is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and that sometimes a little bit of kindness and support can go a long way in helping people find the strength to keep fighting.

Mondays at Racine is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.