INDESTRUCTIBLE Rating 3 out of 4
By Bill Stamets
Chicago Sun-Times

In September 2002, Chicago native Ben Byer learned he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. As his nerves began to degenerate, he lost control of his muscles. He decided to make the best of his plight by making a documentary. "Indestructible" is an engaging chronicle of strategies used by Byer and his family to cope. Filmmaking itself seemingly turns out to be his best strategy.

"The really, really positive thing about this disease is that I can watch TV all day long and not feel bad about it," cracks Byer, now 36, who once worked in Hollywood before turning to the Chicago theater scene. In the press notes for his first-person feature, he takes a more sober tone: "I suddenly found myself on the slow road to hell."

Byer's father seeks a cure on the Internet and advocates the use of untested herbal and surgical treatments. Byer's sister Rebeccah, a glass artist and first-time film producer, offers more grounded help. Family tensions eventually reach a flashpoint. During a fight over Ben's best interests, she yells at her parents to get out of her house.

Most of "Indestructible" is shot by Roko Belic, Byers' classmate at Evanston Township High School, who made the 1999 documentary "Genghis Blues." They interview other people living with ALS and ALS specialists, including noted neurologist and author Oliver Sacks. Byer travels to China, Jamaica and Israel for solace -- for body and soul. If no longer the master of his physical self, Byer masters the art of personal reportage to chronicle his quest.

No MPAA rating. Running time: 113 minutes. In English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tibetan and Greek, with English subtitles. Screening at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee, with an appearance by director Ben Byer