‘Being Heumann’ Is a Worthy Follow-up to Oscar-Winning ‘CODA’ | TIFF Review

From the opening scene of Being Heumann, it is clear that Ruth Madeley‘s portrayal of the titular activist Judy Heumann is a force to be reckoned with. As she drives her wheelchair down a busy New York street during rush hour, forcing traffic to move at her speed because she has no access to the sidewalk, it’s clear that she will not be deterred or compromise at the expense of others; after all, she’s been forced to live at her own expense her entire life. And by the time the title card hits, it is clear why she’s willing to take an impulsive step further in an effort to move her cause forward.