Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story (2017)

Reviewed by Stephen Clark. Viewed opening night at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in Arlington Theatre.

Eduardo Garcia was electrocuted with 2400 volts of electricity in the backcountry of Montana and is life is instantly changed forever. He laid in the hospital bed, vulnerable, little did he know that the hospital would become a part of his life. In the midst of rehabilitating from his life changing injuries, Eduardo was diagnosed with cancer  just as he was cleared to leave the hospital for the first time. Immediately after overcoming his wounds, preparation was due for Eduardo to overcome death once again. Lying in the hospital and receiving chemotherapy treatment, Eduardo lost most of his muscle mass, his energy, and a part of his body. What was more important then what Eduardo sacrificed, is the new perspective in life that he gained, the ability to inspire people, and his charm that helped him be so personable. Throughout Eduardo’s struggle, his faithful girlfriend Jennifer stuck by his hospital bed, and supported him in his darkest moments. The film also highlights the relationship between Eduardo and Jennifer as she chooses to be faithful to Eduardo after he confesses that he was not faithful to her in the past. Prior to the incident, Eduardo had an extensive career as a professional chef on board a yacht, this leads to issues with substance abuse that he had struggled with in his teenage years.

Eduardo’s deep connection to wildlife is exhibited with an epic array of scenes picturing the Montana wildlife where he spent most of his life. In one scene when he returns to Montana, and integrates himself back into the lifestyle he mentions that hiking would be “…some of the best therapy I’ve ever had.” in a statement that calls attention to his deep connection with the outdoors and wildlife. His incident also turned Eduardo into somewhat of a public figure as he starred on talkshows, and cooking shows, to share his inspiring story with the world. Eduardo will bring inspiration to anyone watching the film as he overcame unimaginable feats and carries on with a positive outlook on life despite what has been taken from him. The cinematographer Phillip Baribeau captures the beauty of Montana in amazing pan, crane and various angles to express the power of the landscape of Montana that is a backyard to Eduardo. The outdoors played a significant role in his physical and emotional rehabilitation and helped him find his identity once again as his life was turned upside down. The film touches little on his immediate family but focuses on the relationship with his father for several scenes. Eduardo’s father was absent for most of his life as he took off to Mexico to live his dream of becoming a fishing legend. Eduardo and his brother were persistent about re-connecting with their father who had become well known as a legend across parts of Mexico.

Charged is an inspirational and memorable film that offers a powerful message of self identification, and being able to overcome adversity as this seems to be a pattern in films premiering at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. I felt as though it was a good choice for the opening film, and viewing it at the Arlington Theatre with the star studded ceiling, and styled molding around the balconys added to the film experience and heightened the sense of anticipation for the film. Charged was definitely good choice for the opening film as it set the mood for the rest of the festival. I would say this film was exceptional and seemed to do a good job of embellishing the events while remaining realistic and holding a level of interest throughout the duration.