Sunrise at Campobello 1960

As August 10th, 1921, unfurls its warm canvas on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Franklin) finds himself indulging in a life of leisure with his wife Eleanor and their five rambunctious offspring at their summer retreat. With the sun setting over the horizon, Franklin’s seemingly carefree existence is suddenly interrupted by an unexpected fall, precipitating a series of events that would forever alter the trajectory of his life. The diagnosis delivered by a specialist - infantile paralysis or poliomyelitis - serves as a harsh reality check for the former politician, whose once-boundless energy and vitality are now diminished.

As word of Franklin’s affliction spreads to the island, his trusted friend and confidant, Louis McHenry Howe (Louie), arrives on the scene, his unwavering conviction that Franklin’s political career is “ordained” a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty. For Eleanor, Louie’s reassuring presence serves as a much-needed bulwark against the crushing weight of her husband’s new circumstances.

Meanwhile, Franklin’s mother, Sara Delano (Sara), an overbearing widow with a penchant for disapproving of all things deemed “unrefined,” sets foot on the island, her disapproval of Louie’s dry wit and unassuming demeanor palpable. Despite this, Louie proves a rock of stability for Eleanor, who has shouldered the bulk of Franklin’s care since his fall, and offers words of encouragement to their eldest son, James, reminding him that his father is not one to shy away from adversity.

However, Sara’s domineering presence on the island creates an atmosphere of tension, with Louie struggling to maintain a facade of cordiality in her presence. Franklin, though beset by secret doubts and fears for his future, continues to plot and scheme, undeterred by the challenges that lie ahead. Louie, ever the stalwart supporter, issues orders to Franklin’s secretary, Missy Le Hand, emphasizing the importance of believing in her boss’s unwavering resolve. As the summer draws to a close, the stage is set for Franklin’s greatest battle yet - one that will test his mettle, his resolve, and his very sense of self.

As the summer draws to a close, Franklin remains bedridden, his condition a closely guarded secret as the press converges on the area, eager to snap a photo of his vulnerability. In a clever move to shield Franklin’s reputation, Louie orchestrates a diversionary tactic, dispatching the family to create a decoy presence that will draw the paparazzi away from Franklin’s discreet departure via stretcher to a separate ferry. Once safely ensconced in a new location, Louie issues a reassuring statement about Franklin’s expected recovery, while Franklin himself spends several months in hospital care.

Upon his return to New York City, Franklin faces the daunting task of adapting to his new limitations. With the aid of Missy and Louie, he acquires leg braces, outfitters his chair with wheels, and invents innovative gadgets to facilitate his daily activities, driven by an unwavering conviction that complete recovery is within reach. Meanwhile, Franklin maintains a strong public presence through correspondence, offering words of encouragement to Woodrow Wilson’s efforts towards global peace.

Despite his continued involvement in the world’s affairs, Franklin confides to Eleanor about the crushing loneliness he feels and the recurring nightmares that haunt him - visions of being trapped in a raging inferno. But there is a method behind his madness; Franklin has taken it upon himself to learn how to crawl once more, a symbol of the trials he believes he must endure before achieving true mobility again. In this quiet introspection, he finds solace in the humbling experience, convinced that the process of crawling before walking will imbue him with humility.

As news reaches Eleanor of Franklin’s potential candidacy for governor, Louie coaches her to serve as his proxy, delivering speeches penned by Franklin himself and serving as his eyes, ears, and legs in the world.

As Franklin’s private passions continue to thrive, including his involvement with the Boy Scouts and his fascination with the potential of air travel via dirigible, Louie gently cautions him about scaling back his extracurricular activities. Citing the doctors’ orders for Franklin to ease up, Louie advises him to prioritize his Congressional responsibilities by relinquishing some of his organizational commitments. Franklin’s subsequent decision to retreat upstairs for a nap is met with quiet triumph by Eleanor, who perceives it as a small victory for personal autonomy. However, Sara is less than thrilled about the prospect of appearances being affected and attempts to exert her influence over Franklin. As tensions rise, Eleanor takes a moment alone to collect herself, only to emerge more resolute, declaring that she will not be swayed by such emotional turmoil again.

Later in July 1923, the family retreats to their Hyde Park estate, where Franklin’s recovery gains momentum, despite his lingering inability to walk. With renewed vigor, he engages in playful roughhousing with his sons, expressing a sense of newfound confidence and stability. To Eleanor, he credits her public appearances, Louie’s antics, and his own written musings for keeping him afloat during this challenging period.

In a rare moment of introspection, Franklin and Eleanor share a private conversation, laughing together about the initially disapproving reactions from their respective families to their marriage. Franklin believes that he made the better bargain, acknowledging that his younger self was prone to arrogance. Eleanor confides in her husband, revealing her own struggles as an awkward adolescent who felt unloved until Franklin’s arrival brought her a sense of purpose and belonging.

Just then, their daughter Anna interrupts their tender moment, her unhappiness and rebelliousness palpable. As Eleanor confronts her, Anna reveals her feelings of being overlooked and excluded from the family’s dynamics. In this poignant exchange, Franklin, Eleanor, and Anna come to realize that they need to communicate more effectively with one another, fostering a deeper sense of understanding and connection within their household.

As January 1924 unfolds in New York City, Eleanor Roosevelt is blossoming into a force to be reckoned with on the public speaking circuit. Meanwhile, her mother Sara is exerting her influence, urging Franklin to abandon his political ambitions and instead live a life of quiet luxury at their Hyde Park estate. Sara’s philosophy, rooted in the notion of noblesse oblige, posits that the wealthy should use their privilege to uplift society, but Franklin rejects this idea as a euphemism for complacency. Their disagreement escalates into a heated argument, with Sara invoking the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt - Franklin’s cousin and a former President - as evidence of the dangers of unchecked ambition.

Undeterred by his mother’s disapproval, Franklin becomes more resolute than ever in his quest to transcend his physical limitations. With the 1924 presidential election on the horizon, Governor Alfred E. Smith, a Catholic, is vying for the Democratic nomination against strong anti-Catholic bias. Sensing an opportunity for Franklin to demonstrate his political mettle and potentially clear a path to future office, Louie suggests that he make the nominating speech at the Democratic Convention.

However, Eleanor’s astute observation that the speaker must be able to command attention from the crowd for at least 45 minutes casts a shadow of doubt over Franklin’s prospects. When Governor Smith pays Franklin a visit, he inquires about his willingness to deliver the nominating speech, and Franklin acknowledges that, if asked, he would need to “go into training” to muster the physical endurance required.

With the convention set to take place at Madison Square Garden, Franklin obtains a blueprint of the venue and, with Louie’s guidance, estimates that he will need to walk on crutches for 10 crucial steps to reach the podium. The advice from his friend is straightforward: “Work hard. They’re liable to be the biggest ten steps you ever took in your life.”

On the night of the convention, Franklin instructs James to roll his wheelchair close to the podium, joking earlier that if he falls, “be sure to pick me up in a hurry.” With deliberate slowness, Franklin uses his hands to position himself and then rises from his chair. As the hall falls silent, he begins his arduous journey across the stage, his crutches held firmly in hand. When he finally reaches the podium and relinquishes his crutches to James, the audience erupts into applause, their initial skepticism transformed into admiration for Franklin’s unwavering determination.