Without Warning: The James Brady Story

In 1980, Ronald Reagan is elected president, signaling a new era in U.S. politics. The administration looks for a press secretary, with James Brady and Lyn Nofziger as top choices. Ultimately, Brady learns he has the job and prepares to step into the White House briefing room.

Brady finds out he has been selected as the president's press secretary, stepping into a demanding role soon after Reagan's victory. He begins briefing staff and preparing for high-pressure public appearances. The appointment signals the start of his brief, intense tenure in the spotlight.

Brady serves as the White House Press Secretary, stepping into the spotlight in the early days of Reagan's presidency. He remains in office for 69 days, navigating tense press briefings and the rapid pace of political news. His tenure ends abruptly due to the assassination attempt.

During an AFL-CIO speech at the Washington Hilton Hotel, John Hinckley Jr. fires on the president. Brady is struck by the first bullet, which travels through his brain, and the attack wounds several others, including Reagan. The scene marks a turning point for Brady and the country.

At home, Sarah Brady learns of the shooting through television reports and rushes to the hospital in hopes of news about her husband. Brady is alive but critically injured, and surgeons operate to address the devastating wounds. The family faces a long, uncertain path to recovery.

Brady endures a long series of surgeries and seizures as he slowly works to regain speech and mobility. Medical teams, therapists, and the Brady family navigate a demanding rehabilitation process that stretches over many months. The hospital becomes a center of intense effort and hope.

As months pass, petitions to send Jim Brady home grow louder while doctors like Dr. Art Kobrine express concern about his readiness for discharge. The debate centers on whether his brain and motor skills have recovered enough for life outside the hospital. The tension reflects the broader public interest in his well-being and public safety.

After more than a year of hospitalization, Brady is discharged and returns home to continue life with Sarah and their son Scott. He now depends on a wheelchair and faces daily challenges adapting to a new routine. The family begins a different chapter marked by resilience and new dependencies.

Brady buys a kite and the family drives to a friend's cottage on the beach, seeking a moment of ordinary life. The scene shows Jim's struggles with frustration as he tries to make the kite fly, highlighting the persistent limits of his condition. The moment underscores the ongoing effort to reclaim normalcy.

After several failed attempts to get the kite airborne, Brady's frustration erupts into a rage and a fight with Sarah. The argument reveals the emotional strain of adjusting to life with a severe injury. The couple's bond is tested in a moment of vulnerability.

That night, Jim and Sarah Brady apologize to each other, with Jim expressing that he will need her for the rest of his life. The moment marks a turning point in their relationship as they commit to supporting one another. The couple steels themselves for continued challenges ahead.

The film closes with Jim and Sarah Brady appearing in Congress, advocating for the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. They argue that stronger gun control could save lives by keeping firearms out of the wrong hands. The moment frames their personal journey as a call to public action.