Movie Review: Dear John

Dear John

http://www.dearjohn-movie.com/

Release Date: February 5th, 2010

Rated PG-13 some sensuality and violence.

Running time: 102 minutes

Lasse Hallström (dir.)

Jamie Linden (screenwriter)

Based on the book Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Deborah Lurie (music)

Channing Tatum as John Tyree

Amanda Seyfried as Savannah Lynn Curtis

Henry Thomas as Tim Wheddon

Scott Porter as Randy

Richard Jenkins as Mr. Tyree

(l to r) Braeden Reed, Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum star in DEAR JOHN, an Alliance Films release.

Our reviews below:

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Dear John Review By John C.

**1/2 (out of 4)

Richard Jenkins plays a man with Asperger’s syndrome in Dear John. He is brilliant in every scene he’s in. The problem is, he’s not the focus of the story. The main plot of Dear John just happens to be an average, melodramatic and very predictable romance.

John (Channing Tatum) is a soldier going back to war in two weeks. When vacationing with his father, he spends lots of time at the beach. This is mainly just so that the audience can see him surfing. When he sees a bag get knocked into the water, he jumps in to rescue it. Turns out, it belongs to Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), a visiting student. Naturally, they fall in love. And naturally their relationship has to be kept going through the use of “Dear John” letters.

John has a rocky relationship with his father, wonderfully played by the aforementioned Richard Jenkins. The singular moment that rings most true in the film is a scene between John and his dad. It’s touching and beautiful. Some may argue against this scene, but it’s the one thing that holds an otherwise average movie together. Every time Richard Jenkins was on screen, I saw the movie that this could have been.

The combat scenes are well shot, but more played for melodrama rather than true suspense. I predicted nearly every plot-point. That’s not really a complaint, more just an observation. In these kind of letter movies one side always burns all their letters.

Though I’m sure it will be very popular around Valentine’s day, and it is worth seeing for Richard Jenkins, I think Dear John will play just as well on DVD. And that’s more where my recommendation would lie.

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Dear John Review By Erin V.

***1/4 (out of 4)

Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, Dear John is a romantic story of two people who fall in love with each other over two weeks together while on break. They are John, (Channing Tatum), and Savannah, (Amanda Seyfried). Unfortunately, Savannah has to go back to college, and John is only on a temporary leave from the army. Still, they vow to write each other as often as possible, in order to stay close while so far apart.

I found the romantic storyline in this movie to be fairly average as far as these kinds of movies go, but the part that really upped the movie for me was not the relationship between John and Savannah so much as the relationships between them and John’s father, who is a coin collector with Asperger's syndrome. He is played very well by Richard Jenkins - one of the most accurate portrayals of an individual with Aspergers’ in a movie I’ve seen. It is neither under, nor overplayed.

It was his elements in the story that I found created some of the most real and touching moments. It was these scenes that felt especially real, and it was interesting to see his relationship with his son John, and John’s relationship with him.

I have not read the book, although I am now interested to. I think that says something about a film to actually interest you enough to want to look at the source material. Both autism and Aspergers’ were represented well in the film, and that is one of the reasons that I’d really like to read the book.

I enjoyed the film, although it felt slightly long in a few parts. Still, overall, a good effort on the part of all those involved, and for the audience that’s actually going to buy a ticket to this film, I think they are going to really enjoy it.

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Dear John Review By Nicole

*** (out of four)

Dear John is a nice low-key romantic movie. Based on the book by Nicholas Sparks, the story relays the often long distance love between Savannah and John. From the day Savannah meets, John, they fall in love in only two weeks. When John, who is a soldier in the US army goes over seas, he expects to be back soon. But 911 happens, so John goes over to Afghanistan. While overseas, John and Savannah correspond through a series of letters.

I really liked the romance between Savannah and John. But some of my favourite scenes involve John’s father, who is suggested to have Asperger’s syndrome. He shares his love of mule coins with the people he cares for. The bond between John and his father is sweet and believable. Richard Jenkins is perfectly as an undiagnosed Aspie.

Another side plot involving autism depicts Savannah’s neighbour, Tim and his son Alan, who has mild autism. Both Brandon Reed, (7 year old Alan), and Luke Benward, (14 year old Alan), are very believable as a young autist.

I really liked Dear John. The story, while sad at times, is also very sweet. The acting is really good throughout. This movie will appeal to teens and adults of all ages.

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Dear John Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

Dear John is a touching romance based on the novel Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. As a Nicholas Sparks fan I was pleased with this movie adaptation.

The story follows the lead characters John Tyree (Channing Tatum) and Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) as they continue their initial two week spring break romance through a series of letters. Savannah is a college student and John is in the army. When 9/11 happens John’s stay in the army is extended and their love further tested.

Much of the plot is predictable in terms of romantic highs and lows. However Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried are really nice to watch in their roles as John and Savannah. The high point in Dear John is John’s relationship with his father, a quiet man who collects coins and has undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome. The father, Mr. Tyree is played beautifully by Richard Jenkins (from the movie The Visitor). Jenkins’ portrayal of Aspergers’ Syndrome is touching and accurate. Also portrayed accurately is Savannah’s young neighbour, Allan who has autism. There are some interesting plot twists involving Allan and his autism.

Overall Dear John is a really nice movie. Be warned there is more than one “keep the tissues handy” scene. However Dear John never descends into melodrama.

Dear John is a good movie choice as Valentine’s Day approaches for those of us who love a good romance story.

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Dear John Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Dear John is a sweet romance based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. In 2000, John Tyree (Channing Tatum) meets Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) while he is on leave from service in the Special Forces, and she is on spring break. Falling in love after two weeks, they promise to keep in touch by letters over the next year until John can come home for good. Just before finishing his tour in the Balkans, the 9/11 attack happens and his unit volunteers for active service in the Middle East. The succeeding several years apart threaten their relationship. What lifts the story from the ordinary is the theme of autism. John’s retired father (Richard Jenkins) is socially awkward, bound by routine and constantly tending his coin collection, i.e. an Aspie. Savannah’s family friend Tim (Henry Thomas, who was Elliot in E.T.) has an autistic son, so she recognizes the Asperger traits in John’s father. When she points this out to John he is at first defensive, unaware that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Savannah is then inspired to specialise in autism for her education degree and start up a horse camp for special needs kids after graduation.

Being totally inoffensive, Dear John can be enjoyed by the whole family, young and old, which may lead some to dismiss it as a Hallmark film in all but name. However, the autism theme, the attractive leads and strong supporting cast, particularly Richard Jenkins, raise it to a slightly higher level.

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Channing Tatum stars in DEAR JOHN, an Alliance Films release.

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Consensus: Dear John is a nice romantic movie to see around Valentine's Day. While the storyline is fairly average in terms of a love story like this, Richard Jenkins' portrayal of Aspergers', makes this one worth seeing. It is a fine film that succeeds in what it was trying to be. *** (Out of 4)

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Richard Jenkins stars in DEAR JOHN, an Alliance Films release.

Adam on DVD Today

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing Fox Searchlight’s romantic-dramady about a man with Asperger’s syndrome, on DVD and Blu-Ray today. We reviewed the film when it opened in theatres on August 7th, we all agreed that Hugh Dancy’s portrayal of someone with Asperger’s is very good, but there were some unneeded scenes in the film. Our consensus was:

“Adam is an accurate portrayal of an individual with Asperger’s Syndrome. Overall it is a good film although there is a subplot which is largely unneeded and distracting. *** (Out of 4)”

The DVD includes commentary with director Max Mayer, several deleted scenes, which were removed for good reason, a featurette on the film, an interview with Rose Byrne, and the films original Sundance ending. Which was thankfully changed for the theatrical release - we all found it to be bizarre and poorly written. The actual ending works much better. It would have been nice if it had included a featurette on Asperger’s syndrome as well.

-John C.

(Contest Now Closed) Contest: Win a Copy of Mary and Max on DVD!

Adam Elliot’s claymation film for adults about Asperger’s syndrome and friendship, Mary and Max, is now available on DVD. You can read our reviews here. We have one copy to give away to a lucky reader. Good luck!

To enter, simply email your full name and an email address where you can be contacted to contests@onemoviefiveviews.com, with “Win a copy of Mary and Max on DVD” in the subject line. The contest ends on Wednesday, February 10th, when a random draw will be held. Contest is open to Ontario residents only. Must be 14 years or older to enter. Full rules and regulations here.

(UPDATE - As of February 10th) This contest is now closed. Big thank you to everyone who entered. Check back soon to see who won!

-John C.

DVD Review: Mary and Max

Mary and Max - A Mongrel Media Release

http://www.maryandmax.com/

Release Date: November 20th, 2009

DVD Release Date: January 26th, 2010

Rated G

Running time: 96 minutes

Adam Elliot (dir.)

Adam Elliot (writer)

Dale Cornelius (music)

Toni Collette as Mary Daisy Dinkle (voice)

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Max Jerry Horovitz (voice)

Eric Bana as Damien (voice)

Barry Humphries as Narrator (voice)

Our reviews below:

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Mary and Max DVD Review John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

Mary and Max is the story of an unlikely friendship. An 8-year old girl in Australia, Mary Daisy Dinkle, rips a page from the phone book, and sends a letter to Max Jerry Horowitz. A 44-year old man living with Asperger's syndrome in New York City.

The friendship that ensues is tender and touching. As they unexpectedly change each other’s lives, we come to realise that having one long distance friend can be more meaningful to some than being surrounded by face to face social. The last scene of the film could only be described as bittersweet, heartbreaking and beautiful.

It’s a story that could only exist in the pre-internet age. A time when you would take time and care to write a letter, praying that the recipient would respond. You would actually spend time thinking about what to say, and could include a chocolate bar in the package as well.

Though I could have done without some of the darker, almost sadistic humour, Mary and Max is an excellent piece of adult animation. Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s voice work as Max is spot on, and the writing gives an accurate insight into the mind of a certain type of Aspie.

It should be noted that, despite the G-rating, this film could have gotten away with a 14A. The DVD includes no bonus features, though it could have included some of Adam Elliot’s short films.

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Mary and Max DVD Review By Erin V.

*** (out of four)

Mary and Max is about the penpal relationship between a girl in Australia by the name of Mary (who writes one day to someone random in the US), and Max, a middle-age man with Aspergers’ syndrome.

The film is interesting, and Max’s thought process is very accurate to how an individual on the autism spectrum might think. (This being said though, people on the autism spectrum are all individuals, and just because some may think in that manner, many others do not.) Overall, I found their writing relationship to be done well, and never had a ‘weird vibe’ despite the fact that they were so different in age. They developed a very nice and believable friendship that they both really needed.

As for the film itself, there were parts of it that I liked more than others. I did find the film to be rated quite low, (according to the package a G), and could have done with as high as a 14A, for various content reasons. This is definitely not a film for children. Some of the content, I found went a bit overboard, and I might have liked the film a bit better without as much of it, but the storyline on a whole was well executed.

The animation style, while interesting, is not visually pleasing to look at, unlike something like Coraline. Still, don’t get me wrong, I did like the film. I found it to be a good effort, and worth seeing for those interested in either autism, or animation.

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Mary and Max DVD Review By Nicole

***1/2 (out of 4)

Mary and Max is a charming and touching story about an unusual friendship. Mary Daisy Dinkle is a lonely Australian girl who lives with her eccentric father and alcoholic mother. Max Jerry Horowitz is a middle age man with Asperger’s syndrome, whose only friends are either imaginary, furry, feathered or finned.

One day while at the library, Mary comes across an American phone book. She only gets to “H” before she is suddenly forced to leave. She writes down the first name she sees, and proceeds to write her new “friend”. Max responds by writing a very long letter about himself. Over time, the correspondence between the two impacts each other in unexpected ways. The pen pal friendship spans 20 years. During the correspondence, both Mary and Max learn acceptance, forgiveness, and what it means to be human.

Mary and Max is a very unique animated film. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is perfectly cast as Max. The animation style is very original, in that despite being claymation does not have the look of Aardman. Instead, the characters are mostly shot in grey, with only a few reds for contrast.

Max’s portrayal of Asperger’s syndrome and panic disorder is fairly accurate, considering Max’s age, and the fact that this movie takes place in the 1970’s and ‘80’s. It should be noted that while Max is more challenged socially, many Aspies today can lead more fulfilling lives, thanks to community improvement. What I really liked about Mary and Max is the acceptance of people’s differences, as opposed to pushing for a “cure”.

Although the fact that this film is about a child, this movie is for teenagers and adults only. This film, despite it’s ludicrous G rating, should be rated 14A due to its stark depictions of alcoholism and historically correct portrayals of how people with developmental delays were treated.

Mary and Max is funny, sad at times, and very sweet. Their friendship never feels creepy, but innocent and real. This film deals with death, life, family problems and the beacon of hope that a simple friendship can bring.

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Mary and Max DVD Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

Mary and Max is a quirky, claymation gem of a tale about an unlikely friendship between two very different people. Mary (voiced by Toni Collette) is 8 years old and lives in Australia. Max (voiced by Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is 44, lives in new York City and has Asperger’s syndrome. Mary instigates a pen pal correspondence that lasts 20 years and provides unique insight and friendship for both of them.

On the surface, Mary and Max is a dark depressing story. Visually this is a somewhat ugly film. The animation is done in shades of grey and brown with splashes of red for contrast. Yet despite the dark look and tone, Mary and Max has a tender and charming overall feel to the story. Writer/director Adam Elliot has given viewers a touching and accurate glimpse into the challenges and struggles of Asperger’s syndrome and a wonderful lesson in friendship. Even when friendships are unorthodox, friends make a difference.

For animation fans, or individuals interested in the topic of Asperger’s syndrome, Mary and Max is a must-see.

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Mary and Max DVD Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

Mary & Max is the first feature from Australian self-titled “Clayographer” Adam Elliot, who won an Oscar for the 2003 short Harvie Krumpet. The story spans 22 years in the lives of Mary in suburban Australia and Max in urban New York, from the ages of 8 & 44 respectively. Having picked his name at random from a directory, Mary starts up a correspondence with Max. Despite their differences, they discover the common bond of Asperger Syndrome which has shaped both their lives.

Among the recent crop of films about ‘Aspies”, Mary & Max treats its subjects with sensitivity, celebrating their joys as well as dealing with their challenges though its crude humour and grotesque characters are not for small children.

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Consensus: A very good piece of adult animation, with a tender storyline and interesting visuals. Mary and Max gives an interesting and accurate look at Asperger’s syndrome and friendship. ***1/2 (Out of 4)

The Horse Boy

The Horse Boy - A Films We Like Release

http://www.horseboymovie.com/

Release Date: November 13th, 2009 (Toronto)

December 17th (Charlottetown)

More Dates To Come

Rated PG

Running time: 93 minutes

Michel Orion Scott (dir.)

Based on the book The Horse Boy, written by Rupert Isaacson

Our reviews below:

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The Horse Boy Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

In 1963, Maurice Sendak was going to write a book called Where The Wild Horses Are. When it became apparent to him and his editor that he couldn’t draw horses, he changed them to Wild Things. If he had been able to draw horses, than the resulting book would have basically been The Horse Boy. A young boy who keeps having meltdowns, goes to a land of wild horses, and returns all the better for it. The only difference is that in The Horse Boy, the boy doesn’t go there after being banished, but is brought there out of the love of his father.

In 2004, Rupert Isaacson’s 3-year old son, Rowan, was diagnosed with autism. At home, Rowan would continually have meltdowns, and wasn’t even toilet trained. Then his father started to notice the bond he had with a neighbour’s horse, Betsy. In 2007, they took a journey to Mongolia, where they took part in healing ceremonies with Shamans, and rode wild horses.

Credit has to be given to director Michel Orion Scott and his crew, for the surprisingly steady camera work, and beautiful cinematography. This is one of the only autism documentaries that I’ve seen that focuses on the positives, and is actually an ultimately uplifting experience.

Before or after you see the movie, it should be noted that it’s well worth reading Rupert Isaacson’s book of the same name, to gain added perspective into the story. No matter how much you know about autism, this is a documentary that’s worth seeking out.

Click here to read my 2-part interview with Rupert Isaacson, and here to read my 2-part interview with Michel Orion Scott.

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The Horse Boy Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

Before The Horse Boy, I had yet to see a documentary about autism that had an overall positive view. What I really liked about The Horse Boy, was that it showed that while those with, and those living with individuals with, autism, do have specific challenges because of it, but that there are also gifts associated with it.

The documentary follows the Isaacson family, as they take their son Rowan, then 5, on a trip to Mongolia in order to meet with Shamans there, to see if they can help him. Why Mongolia in the first place? Well, back in Texas, where the family lives, Rowan’s father, Rupert, discovered something about his son. He would act way less autistic when on or around horses - as animals, horses in particular, were his interest. Mongolia, it just so happens, is the birthplace of the horse.

The remarkable journey that they took, and the full story really can’t be told quickly here. Watching the film gives you a good concise version of the story, so it is a good place to start. This being said though, I would also definitely recommend reading Rupert Isaacson’s book, also with the same title. The book is a full documentation of their trip, and very well written.

The Horse Boy really accentuates something that I’ve noticed for a long time. Those with autism, are way calmer when outside - away from the busy modern world in which we live, which is so often overwhelming. Maybe it’s just not natural to spend so much time boxed in between walls, with stimulus coming at us from all directions? By allowing children, (and adults), more time outdoors, you can focus on the gifts of autism, rather than the challenges. Essentially, removing even one extra stress trigger can help to break down some of the walls put up by those with autism to try to deal with over-stimulation.

I really liked the message of getting outdoors, but also that you should listen to, and follow, the appropriate special interests of your child. That is the best way for any kid to learn. I would definitely recommend this documentary. It is very interesting, and flows well as a film. The cinematography is also quite beautiful, capturing the vastness of the Mongolian Steppe.

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The Horse Boy Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

The Horse Boy is a unique, positive film about a family on an unusual adventure. The boy in the title, Rowan, experiences autism. He struggles with some things, such as difficulty toilet training, and getting easily overwhelmed, but with his autism, comes many gifts. One of these gifts is Rowan's way with animals. When he befriends the neighbour's horse, Betsy, his father, Rupert, has an idea. What if there is a place where horses and healers lived together? The place is Outer Mongolia, where horses run free, and shamans still heal people of their difficulties. Despite his wife's initial hesitation, the whole family heads off to Mongolia for three weeks. Traveling on horseback and by van, the family finds healing through horses, reindeer, meeting shamans, and just by being out in nature. In Mongolia, Rowan makes his first friend. And, as promised by the final shaman, Ghoste, Rowan makes a very important breakthrough.

The Horse Boy is one of the best autism documentaries so far. While it doesn't sugarcoat, it depicts autism as a unique way of being, as opposed to an illness in need of a cure. I found it interesting that, while our society sees autism as a deficit, this is not the case everywhere. Many of the shamans, such as Ghoste, had developmental delays, or are neurologically different. The professionals in this documentary agree that, when you heal the problems related to autism, the gifts can shine through.

One thing I liked about The Horse Boy is that it avoids going for shock value. Many of the more unpleasant moments have been edited for the film. The Horse Boy, whole depicting some of Rowan's very personal moments, is never exploitative, as Rowan was involved in the editing process.

Whether you are affected by autism or not, The Horse Boy is an amazing and uplifting documentary that will warm your heart.

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The Horse Boy Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

The Horse Boy is one of the most positive, hopeful documentaries about autism that I've had the pleasure of watching.

Based on the book by the same name, The Horse Boy follows the Isaacson family on their travels to Mongolia to meet Shaman and find healing for their son, Rowan.

'The Horse Boy' never holds back or sugarcoats the reality of having a family member with autism. The meltdowns, the behavioral issues all ring true. What I love about this film is the sense of acceptance Rowan's family has for his autism and all it's challenges. It is also really interesting to see how other cultures perceive differences such as autism.

The scenes in Mongolia are lovely to view with the open fields and the magnificent horses that play such an important role in Rowan's healing. This is a story of how nature, animals and an open mind can change the course of events and lead to healing.

Throughout this film autism experts such as Temple Grandin and Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen share their thoughts and ideas about the realities of autism. Their message was clear - autism isn't something we need to cure, but rather we need to help heal the real challenges individuals and their families face in living with autism.

If you know someone on the autism spectrum, or have an interest in the topic or an interest in animal therapy, specifically with horses then The Horse Boy is a must see.

I feel richer for having watched The Horse Boy and read the book.

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The Horse Boy Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

The Horse Boy is a documentary based on the book by Rupert Isaacson, a human rights activist and journalist. When his son Rowan was found to be autistic, Rupert and Rowan’s mother Kristin, a psychology professor, went up the usual learning curve in an attempt to find relief. Rowan was classically autistic, largely nonverbal with typical repeated “stimming” (self-stimulating by repeated arm flapping, etc.), frequent severe “volcanic” emotional outbursts and a discouraging disinterest in toilet training. Fortunately, the British-born Isaacson, now based in Austin, Texas, had a lifelong love of horses. Placing Rowan on a horse gave immediate relief. With an interest in traditional healing and shamanism based on his research among the Bushmen and others, he decided to take Rowan on a trip to visit shamans, particularly in Mongolia where a horseback trek would be required.

Fortunately for us reluctant readers, a documentary crew followed the family to provide a sensitive film treatment of the book which carefully respected Rowan’s dignity throughout. Included are comments from autism experts such as Temple Grandin and Simon (cousin of Sasha) Baron-Cohen. Viewers are left to their own conclusions about how much, if any, of Rowan’s progress was due to shamanic ritual or just a result of all the loving interventions of the people and animals around him. The Isaacsons wisely came to accept Rowan’s autism as something they could live with, and the film steers clear of celebrity claims of quack “cures” and the roundly discredited though persistent internet propaganda about autism being caused by vaccinations.

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Consensus: The Horse Boy is an inspirational and uplifting documentary about the fascinating subject of autism, and one of the very best documentaries dealing with the material. ***1/2 (Out of 4)

Part 2: Interview with Michel Orion Scott, of the New Movie The Horse Boy

By John C.

Read part 1 of my 2-part interview here, and check back tomorrow for our reviews of The Horse Boy.

One thing I really liked about this movie is that, unlike in some other documentaries, it didn’t seem like the camera was purposefully shaking. What kind of camera did you use? I used a Canon XHA-1. And that's great to know that it worked well, because there were tons of moments when the camera was really shaking. It was a great camera to work with. I think a lot of times the shaking is intentionally used, since it’s considered a technique to make the audience feel uneasy, or something. Especially since we were on horseback a lot of the time, we did try our best to really minimize it though.

What was it like watching The Horse Boy for the first time with an audience? Well the first time I watched Horseboy with a large audience - it was at Sundance - and I was literally crushing me feet out of fear. I was horrified when it began to play... I thought they are going to hate it, and at the end of it boo. To my surprise, they cheered. They actually loved it! At that point I had so many hugs, so many laughs - I cried with the audience too. To make a film that’s not going to please everyone, but can still make people cry and laugh and change their lives is amazing. Most people have been really supportive. I made a lot of friends through it.

Who are some of your greatest inspirations as a filmmaker? What are your favourite movies? A lot of my inspiration as a filmmaker, comes from nature. I’ve tried to structure most of my career around time and nature, and the healing power of nature. It’s really important to show the beauty and power of just being outside. The landscapes, flowers, the great relief of just being outside the city. I was a dancer, studied dance in college, so thinking about creative movement inside the frame always is something I remember. Also, family dynamics, human emotion - those three things, nature, family, and human emotion are what inspire me.

It wasn't until about 4 months ago that I saw Man on Wire. That was an amazing film that inspired me. I like things that are kind of experimental. In college, I had an arts background - not necessarily in film, but a lot of painting and sculpting. I like things with Latin American influences. The Green Wall, experimental docs like Hybrid...

What are some of the most recent films you’ve seen in theatres? It’s going to sound pretty cliche in a couple of months, but I really liked Where The Wild Things Are, it’s just a beautiful film - it really got into the mind of the child. I have a 7 year old niece, and it really seemed like a 7-year old could have written it. It’s just such an interesting film.

Yes, Where The Wild Things Are was an amazing movie. Then, like I said, Man on Wire was just really well done, Winnebago Man, I was incredibly impressed with... Certainly Where The Wild Things Are, and those documentaries.

What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers? I don’t know if this would be the greatest advice career-wise, but what really helped me in film, was to follow my passions outside of film, and incorporate those into film. Of course, there is the budget, producers, crew, it’s not always fun - not a lot of the time, actually. But really for me, what gets me to keep going through each project is just incorporating it into what I love. Nature, dance... You just have to experiment with things, to adapt to finding inspiration from those things. I try to use my greatest joys in life in the process. And if someone decides that film is not what they want to do, if they pursue other passions, they’ve never really left them. It wouldn’t work for everyone, but that's what keeps me sane in the film world.

Are there any upcoming projects you can tell me about? Well, I’m just finishing with a documentary, that I’m still looking for a distributor for, about Jewish immigration to Bolivia in the late 1930's. It's kind of a story about how these people took this opportunity to get out of Germany, only to be turned away by a lot of countries - with even the USA turning boats back to Austria and Germany. So they went on this exotic journey to find a place to land, and they ended up going to Bolivia. It’s also about how politics in Bolivia have morphed to make these social and political issues of immigrants heard, those of non-indigenous populations. It’s not just about racism, but also about Iran, the rush of the Arab world, the place that the Jewish culture is at in the world, from the 1930's to the present day.

I’d also at some point like to try a narrative - I’m working on a script right now. I have done short films, but it’s one step at a time to get into the world 0f narrative film. I don’t want to rush, I want to make a good film as my first. Sometime in the future.

Is there anything else you’d like to add before we wrap up? I think we've covered most of it - its been a phenomenal journey. What I’d always wanted to shed light on, is the way we perceive unique individuals and diversity. And how as a society we could actually feel that we don’t have to mould them to fit into what we already have, but actually open a place in society and culture, with others in past and present, fuse their talents, rather than try to morph them to make them so called productive. Autism could be a metaphor for anything. How do we make a place in our culture for unique individuals, rather than try to change them.

One Movie, Five Views thanks Michel Orion Scott for taking the time to do this interviews. Our reviews of The Horse Boy will be up on Friday, November 13th.

Part 1: Interview with Michel Orion Scott, Director of the Movie "The Horse Boy"

By John C.

A few weeks a go I spoke with Michel Orion Scott, director of the new documentary The Horse Boy. The interviews happened over the phone, and we spoke about everything from getting the movie made, to Where The Wild Things Are. Here’s part 1 of the interview. Part 2 is coming tomorrow. You can read my 2-part interview with Rupert Isaacson here, and our reviews of The Horse Boy will be coming this Friday.

Can you tell me about any previous film projects you have worked on? Yeah. I'm new to directing actually, I started working on skating videos, I've done camera work and sound - stuff like that.

How were you approached to direct The Horse Boy? Actually, I met Rupert at a book event that he was doing about the Bushmen in Africa. I was trying to find a shift in my career, and was looking for more projects. I was interested in nature, and about the human rights thing about the Kalahari Bushmen. So, we came up with a plan to make a documentary, but about 3 months into the project, the Bushmen actually won their human rights case, so the urgency for a film about it wasn’t as strong.

So Rupert and I got talking, and he said, ‘Well you know, I also have this thing that I’m going to be doing next summer. I have this strange feeling that we need to go on an adventure with the family. So I’m going to take Rowan to Mongolia, the birthplace of the horse, where we can meet with some Shamans - it might help him. Worst case, it would just be an adventure. So, I’m planning on doing that. Would you like to come?’ As a filmmaker, I said yes, since I knew that even if Rowan wasn’t healed, and it could be horrible for the family, it was a case of stepping outside the box, and it was amazing the love they have for their child. And that's how I got on board.

What was it like accompanying Rupert and his family to Mongolia? It was an incredible challenge. Tech wise, I had to plan for about 6 months. Then when we were in Mongolia, riding and filming at the same time, with saddle bags mounted with sound mixers - it was quite a feat. Jeremy, our sound guy, was actually doing some mixing while riding. It was difficult, but really stunningly beautiful. It was a great adventure for the family - really gratifying. And I tried my best to step back, be a filmmaker, and let the family have the adventure that they did.

How much did you know about autism before making this film? I knew very little before making the film. When Rupert told me about his son, I knew it was a disorder, and that because of it, he would tantrum for hours on end. But when I began to make the film, I read books, and a lot that I learned was from speaking with experts for the film.

I really liked the experts that were chosen to talk about autism. You know it's one of those things that everyone is going to have their own personal theory, but absolutely I went from knowing nothing, to knowing a great deal. Autism - it's still a mystery. We know a lot, but not the best way to treat it, what causes it, etc.

Who made the decisions of who to interview? Those were joint decisions. The first interview we did, was with Temple Grandin. Both Rupert and I were fascinated with the work she was doing, and the fact that she is an autist herself. Then there was Richard Grinker, who’d done articles for The New Yorker, and was an anthropologist, and there was Simon Baron-Cohen, who is one of the best autism experts in the field. So it was really about who knows the most about autism, like Temple Grandin, autistic herself, and then people like Richard Grinker.

What were your favourite moments to film? I had many favourite moments. One that really sticks out in my mind, was when Rowans crying, with his hands over his eyes, and Rupert sits down and says ‘I f***ed up’. We had turned an amazing adventure into something horrible. We needed to stop thinking as an adult, and do this trip for Rowan. It was a turning point. As a filmmaker, I was thinking, ‘What is the point behind this? They were going to make the greatest effort for their child, and that’s when you know what this film is going to be amazing, because these parents, that's what this was about. How far you would you go for someone you love?’ Some of my other favourite moments were in Ghoste’s tent, the first Shaman ceremony, and the wonderful cinematography there is out there.

...and what were some of the hardest moments? The second day of riding was physically the hardest. I was pushing myself to get every single detail I could possibly get, holding the camera in one hand, the reins in the other. By the second day I kind of had to take a break. So I was lying on the ground, and Rowan would come over and walk on my back, and I was sore and it felt so great. It was the second or third day - I can't remember which. Other hard moments were whenever Rupert and Kristen were at serious lows. To see Rupert and Kristen at Lake Charga going up and down, thinking about maybe Rowan will be healed, maybe not, and to see Rupert on the verge of tears. As a filmmaker, despite being objective, they were becoming friends of mine.

How much footage did you actually shoot, compared to the running time of the movie? We shot about 200 hours of footage, so yeah. That was a lot of editing to do, considering that the actual film was only about 95 minutes...

Come back tomorrow for part 2, where I asked questions about what it was like watching the movie with an audience, and what his greatest inspirations are as a filmmaker.

Part 2: Interview with Rupert Isaacson on the Book & Movie "The Horse Boy"

By John C.

Here is part 2 of my 2-part interview with Rupert Isaacson, author of the book and subject of the new documentary, The Horse Boy. Read part 1 here, and check back tomorrow for part 1 of my interview with The Horse Boy director Michael Orion Scott.

What were some of you favourite moments from this incredible journey of getting the film made, and the book written?

Well, for Kristen and I, I think the most defining moment was seeing Rowan do his first intentional poo, because if you soil your pants every 20 hours, you’re going to have no friends and a lot of trouble in the world. Once that dysfunction went, we were all so relieved. Also, I would have to say, seeing him make his first friend, and seeing the tantrums go. So, the whole thing was amazing, very bonding. Ghoste the Shaman said that we should do something with some type of healers at least once a year for 3 years, so we were in Africa last year, and then in Australia this year. We still see the leaps forward, all the while still doing Western therapies. This coming year we will probably be doing it in North America, with Native Americans. When you take these adventures with the family, it bonds you, and then, autism, this thing that people say will shut you down, becomes a very beautiful thing.

Are there any upcoming book or film projects you can tell us about?

We are filming, and we do continue to film, every healing journey we make. Will indeed Rowan get gradually less autistic until he's 9, like the Shamans said? Right now we're living that journey.

How have people been receiving the film?

I'm not a filmmaker, I'm a guy who made a film. I find that critics are in two camps. One side are saying ‘they’re exploiting their child, what about child privacy, etc.’, but those people are not in the position that we were in, and I hope that they never find themselves in that position. Critically, it doesn't matter, it’s more important that it helps people.

Did you see the film at Hot Docs?

I did go to Hot Docs.

Was it well received there?

Very much so. It's funny because most of the people in the audience were connected to autism, whether it’s a friend of theirs, or a family member. It’s present in 1 in 54 babies born now, I think. So, most of the questions we got were very practical. The audience asked the kinds of questions one would get around the dinner table.

What we really liked about this film was that it is one of the few really positive portrayals of autism.

Absolutely, it's a big scary thing, but that's only part of the story. There are also incredible gifts,and the in next film we want to explore, ‘what are these gifts?’. We’ve had the opportunity to meet with adults and young adults, all successful, in their own rites.

There are a lot of other, particularly fictional, films about autism, and Aspergers, coming out recently. Have you seen any of these films, and what do you think of them?

Well, I think it is a very big topic right now, because of the prevalence rate. I don't really have an opinion of it. If it gets people aware of it, then it's good. There are quite a lot coming out right know, in so many forms. Because autism is case by case, each one that's different, reflects the diversity. They all represent someone. Everyone’s different, that’s why you can try 30 therapies, before you find the one that works.

Specifically there were the two films Adam, and the animated one from Australia, Mary & Max.

I actually saw both those films at Sundance, and again, what both of those films do show, is that both of these people go on to lead interesting lives of their own. All of that aside though, Mary & Max is worth seeing even just for the interesting animation.

And also from what I’ve heard, Phillip Seymore Hoffman’s voice work is just spot-on.

Yes, he is excellent. It’s also just a wonderfully funny film.

Is there anything else you’d like to add today?

Perhaps just if people do have questions, they can contact us at www.horseboyfoundation.org, and if they want to see where the movies coming on, they can check out www.horseboymovie.com where the list of theatres playing it will be updated periodically. I suppose the distribution company in Canada, Films We Like, will have it on their site as well. People can definitely contact us. You guys in Canada I think, are quite lucky, since you do have so much nature around.

Thank you for taking the time to talk to me today.

It's my pleasure, thank you for calling.

One Movie, Five Views thanks Rupert Isaacson for taking the time for this interview. You can read our reviews of the film coming this Friday, November 13th, 2009.

Part 1: Interview with Rupert Isaacson on the Book & Movie "The Horse Boy"

By John C.

A few weeks ago, I spoke with Rupert Isaacson, author of The Horse Boy and subject of the new documentary. The interviews happened over the phone, and we spoke about everything from getting the movie made and book written, to what parents of autistic kids can do to help their children. Here’s part 1 of the interview. Part 2 is coming tomorrow.

Being familiar with autism and Aspergers on a personal level, what we all really liked about the book and movie is your feelings towards autism and it’s place in our society. Did you feel the same way before you took the journey to Mongolia?

I think I was definitely getting there. I had finished that feeling of grief that comes with the initial diagnoses, and had really started to see the gift of autism. What really solidified it in Mongolia, was seeing that people in other cultures really don’t see these differences as something to be fixed. It’s not like they just make a place in society because they have to, it is that this is seen as a different set of skills. There is no question that these are valuable individuals. In our culture, it is like there is no place, and there for it’s more about, how can we change you. Seeing other societies, and how they make a shift, is a very beautiful thing to see first hand.

How much did you know about Autism before Rowan’s diagnosis?

Not much. I’d gone to a Waldorf school when I was a kid, and there had been a couple of autistic kids there. Both of them were math geniuses, but they also had severe behavior issues. Now this was a while back, so they hadn’t as much knowledge about how to help them. Sort of, they were still trying to make square pegs go in round holes...

Was there a turning point for you when you realized that you weren’t going to cure your son, and realized that that was okay?

Very much so, because one of the great things about hanging out with healers is that you get a very good distinction between heal and cure. Chronic conditions are not cured. What you want to do, is annihilate the symptoms so they are no longer a dysfunction, no longer a problem. Healing means getting to a point where you have the positives, not the negative. Once you can focus on the positives, the gifts that come with autism allow you to see it as not a bad or good thing, just a way of being.

Has your son, Rowan, seen the movie, and what does he think about seeing himself on screen?

Rowan actually was very much a part of re-watching a lot of the footage with us. It actually really helped him get a different perspective - the social perspective of watching people - and how they related to him, others and each other. Actually, a lot of therapists use video for autistic kids to help them watch how they are interacting. So, participating was sort of that thing for him, and we would ask his opinion of which things should stay, or which should go. Sitting there with him in the editing room, that was really beautiful.

What challenges did you face getting the trip to Mongolia organized, and how did the book and movie come to be?

It's easier to understand if you think about that in film, you can only show what you have footage of. Back in ‘04, I did human rights work with the Bushmen in Africa. So it was somewhat familiar to me about the healers there, I had seen people get sick and then get better with their help. Anyway, I had to bring a delegation of Bushmen to the United Nations, where they were going to talk about illegal beatings and torture tied into the diamond mines.

It was there that their trained healers met Rowan. They offered to do work with him. They don't need a degree to be qualified to do this, but the laying on hands can’t hurt him, so we figured to give it a go. For the 3 to 5 days they were with him, his behaviors lessened, he started pointing, and acting calmer. But, when they went back and we went home, all of the symptoms came back. It was shortly after this, that Rowan met Betsy. It was then that his language started and on the horse, I saw the same leaps forward, if temporary that we saw with the Bushmen. I thought about bringing him to Africa, but his thing was horses. It was then that I though, where’s there a horse culture that is combined with healing? Mongolia.

That was 2004,when he was still too young to make the journey. Now, I'm a writer, so I knew that I wanted to write about it. Still, other parents could not verify that what I wrote was true, so I spoke to Michael Scott, a filmmaker friend, who was initially going to make a film in Botswana, where there was the massive problems with torture. But in 2006, we actually won the case in Botswana for the Bushmen, which slightly lowered the need for a film, because they had the land back. So, I told him we were planning a trip in a year, once Rowan was big enough, to Mongolia. I said he should come along, so that if there were changes in Rowan’s behavior, it would be documented, and if not, I think the value of it being on film, would just add to the general body of knowledge about autism. The fact that it helped, doesn't mean that every parent should go to Mongolia, that was very special to us, but they should rather take their child’s interests, and see where that leads them. That was the initial motivation of getting it on film, but never in a million years, did we imagine that it would be opening in movie theatres across the world.

Was it difficult to have your son filmed at his most vulnerable moments? It must have been a fine line to draw between wanting to share your story, and protecting your son’s privacy.

The thing about once you enter that kind of life with autism, is that everywhere you go, the street, the supermarket, every autism parent is out there all the time being judged as bad parents. People will come up and tell you that you have bad parenting skills, try to hit your child, it can get really, really bad. The only information is from others, and if you get good result somewhere, you should make that knowledge available for other parents. If you have no problems, you don't have a kid with autism. So, you don’t think of privacy or not, you don’t have that luxury to not have to worry about public behavior. The thing is, we get contacted by so many parents. Usually by e-mail, we get as many as 30 a day. It’s so different from before Mongolia. We have parents wanting to know what therapeutic riding places we know of close to them, what we can tell them, etc. Once you enter the world of autism, the initial reaction might be that your freedom is over, and ideas about what you expected for your child can go out the window, but you have to make new plans and come to terms with it.

How is your riding therapy program going, and how many kids do you have coming to the program?

It’s going well. We have about 20 coming a week. It’s not just the kids though, it’s the whole family. One of the things that was very clear was that going out to nature with the family really helps everyone out a lot. I lived up in Canada for a little while, and what impressed me is that a lot more families take camping trips together. They go up to Algonquin Park for a weekend for example, so a lot of Canadian kids grow up with a culture of doing that, and a knowledge in nature, and I really saw a value with that. So, the families are coming, are here for relaxing, it's not all structured. You aren’t told, ‘ok. You have an appointment at 10:00, by 10:30, bugger off!’. Especially on the first visit, everyone's invited to explore. We have hiking, playrooms, other animals, and the horses are a component of that. It doesn't matter if a kid gets on a horse on the first day.

What we have learned, is that the terrible tantrums happen in an overloaded neurological state. Once they are out of the man made environment and into nature, a lot of the things that are causing the overload are removed. The family can all calm down together, and it is then that you really see the intellect come out. We often invite people to bring their child’s therapists along, and we ask them to try the therapy, that they would usually do in a room, on a trampoline, under a tree, etc. It is here that you often see more effectiveness and response.

When people enroll their kids in the program, do they unrealistically expect their kids to be cured of their autism?

No one does, actually. Autism parents are very savvy people. About a year into the process, people within the autism community know what they're dealing with, and they want to lessen the bad effects and issues, not a cure.

What advice would you give to parents of kids with autism, who are feeling at a loss and don’t know what to do?

What I’d say is, follow your child’s interest. I was actively trying to keep Rowan away from Betsy at first, but he kept on running up to her. The thing is, that those who are nonverbal, the only way they can tell you what they want, is to show you. If a kid is going to a particular TV show, bicycles, steam trains, horses, etc., don't try to make your child be where they don’t want to be, instead trust your parental instincts.

The main thing though, is to get them into nature. It can be the garden, the city park, even the local state park. You don’t have to bring them up to Wood Bison National Park, it can just be local. Just try the therapies there. Try those things and whatever therapies, and remember, you don't have to be an extremist. We are not born again Shamans, we still do western therapies.

Come back tomorrow for part 2, where I asked questions about what were some of Rupert’s favourite moments from this incredible journey, and how the film was received at HotDocs in Toronto.

Adam

Adam

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/adam/

Release Date: August 7th, 2009

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, sexual content and language

Running time: 99 minutes

Max Mayer (dir.)

Max Mayer (writer)

Christopher Lennertz (music)

Hugh Dancy as Adam Raki

Rose Byrne as Beth Buchwald

Peter Gallagher as Marty Buchwald

Amy Irving as Rebecca Buchwald

Frankie Faison as Harlan

Adam (Hugh Dancy) Eats His Nightly "Mac & Cheese" By Himself in Adam

- A Fox Searchlight Pictures Release

Our reviews below:

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Adam Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

There is something hauntingly beautiful about the opening scene of Adam. As he stands watching his father be buried, some people have described the look on his face as “cold”. I saw a man overcome with emotion, yet unable to cry, not knowing if it would be the appropriate social response. The newest movie being distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures does have moments of greatness, but on a whole isn’t great, rather just really good.

Adam is the story of a man with Asperger’s syndrome. When someone new moves into his apartment building, Beth (Rose Byrne), the two people start to get to know each other. They form a relationship that is at one time romantic and sexual, but at practically the same time she has to act like his support person.

The biggest problem with the movie lies not in the main storyline, but in a needless sub-plot. I didn’t find that the storyline with Beth’s father worked, it just served as a distraction. He’s going through trial for some sort of business fraud. So we get a lot of screen time devoted to scenes in court. I wish there was more time devoted to Adam’s relationship with his father’s old friend Harlan (Frankie Faison). At one point, Adam is going for a job interview, which we don’t get to see because we are watching her father’s court case. After all, this is a movie called Adam, not Beth’s Father.

Another more minor problem with the film is that the character of Adam has Asperger’s taken to the extreme. He takes almost every little thing literally, and has practically no theory of mind. After ten years at the same job, it’s likely that he would have some learned theory of mind. Hugh Dancy’s lead performance is incredibly believable and realistic, but the character isn’t always written in the most believable and realistic way. Dancy embodies the character perfectly, right down to little twitches and tics.

I also found that the movie doesn’t really explain what Asperger’s syndrome is, it more just shoves the fact that the character has it down our throats for about ten minutes, and than just kind of leaves it there as a plot point.

The biggest thing the movie needed was to show the diversity of people with Asperger’s. The way they could have done this is by having Adam go to a social group. Yes, space is a very common special interest, but it’s not the interest of every person with Asperger’s. It’s just as common a special interest as dinosaurs or movies. They should have shown other functioning young adults with Asperger’s, not make it seem almost like Adam is the only guy in New York that has it. But, this isn’t so much a problem with the movie as much as it is a problem with there not being enough public awareness. I almost wish the film had come with a disclaimer.

At one point Adam tells Beth that “He’s Not Forrest Gump”. I found that the first sexual scene in the film almost seemed like a blatant rip-off of a scene in Robert Zemckis’ 1994 Oscar winning masterpiece.

I liked the characters in Adam a lot. But the movie as a whole isn’t as good as it could have been, nor quite as good as I hoped it would be. The performances by Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne are both excellent, Dancy’s performance in particular, but the movie never elevates to the level it could have reached, because it keeps getting dragged down by that pointless sub-plot.

I do highly recommend you see the film, but after viewing it is important you take the time to read about Asperger’s syndrome. If the film makes people aware than that is a very good thing. If people see the movie, then figure they know all they need to know, then that is not a good thing at all.

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Adam Review By Erin V.

***1/4 (out of 4)

Adam is the story of a man called Adam, who after the death of his father is now living alone in the apartment that they shared. A new woman moves into the building - Beth. He first meets her outside as she is bringing her groceries up the steps. He tells her about space and suggests that maybe they could look at the stars sometime together. Astronomy is Adam’s special interest, and he is excited to share it with his new neighbour. The plot is fairly straightforward, and not all that unique, except for the fact that the main character Adam, has Asperger’s Syndrome. (I am including a short description at the bottom of my review.) Because of his difficulties with social cues he has kind of kept to himself, and is kind of nervous at first around Beth. Gradually though, he comes to really enjoy and want to spend more time with her - and she with him. She helps to support him in the confusing social world, while he introduces her to the natural beauty around us all. A side story which could have been mentioned but not given as much screen time, is with Beth’s father’s ongoing court case.

I found it a slight challenge to rate this movie. On one hand, I am glad to finally see a movie that portrays Asperger’s Syndrome more accurately than some recent attempts, but I also must look at it’s merits as a film. It does have it’s flaws, definitely. In particular, it’s the court case that was kind of distracting. At one point, we see a courtroom scene in place of Adam’s job interview which he has been preparing for. If so much time was spent on the preparation, it feels quite disappointing to see something else completely unrelated instead. Also, I found a few moments when Hugh Dancy (possibly due the script) kind of slipped out of character for a couple of seconds. There were times when it didn’t seem natural for either an Aspie, nor an NT.

But, negatives aside, this film does have many positives. For the most part, this movie, as I said, is quite accurate. Hugh Dancy does a very good job in the role. He is - for the majority of the time - believable as a man with Asperger’s Syndrome. Rose Byrne also is very good in her role as Beth. Adam is shown as a very smart, and mostly positive, character. Like any “neurotypical”, he does have his flaws/obstacles, but he is able to confront them, and ultimately succeed in many ways. I also found the score by composer Christopher Lennertz to be very well done and fitting for the film. You can read an interview with him here.

I would definitely recommend checking out Adam. It is an interesting film.

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

Asperger’s Syndrome is classed as a form of high-functioning autism. People with Asperger’s, (affectionately refered to within the Aspergers community as “Aspie’s”), often have trouble with reading non-verbal social cues, such as reading complex facial expressions and maintaining eye contact. Sometimes vocal inflections can be misinterpreted as well. Those with Asperger’s also struggle with sensory issues, such as everyday sounds - e.g. traffic noise - sending them into sensory overload. Contrary to what used to be believed, those with Asperger’s do not lack empathy, but often retreat from extreme emotional situations because their feelings come so strongly that they are overwhelmed. Asperger’s Syndrome is not just a list of things people struggle with though. Most people with Asperger’s are very smart, competent individuals. Many have talents in either technical or artistic fields, or both. Asperger’s - just like anything else - has it’s share of gifts as well.

It is important to remember - every person with Asperger’s is different, just as every person with blue eyes, or in a wheelchair is for example. One movie, or one description is not a snapshot of every individual out there with Asperger’s Syndrome. Far from it. Asperger's doesn't define the individual - individuals define their Asperger's.

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Adam Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

Adam is a sweet and heartfelt story about a unique relationship. The title character, Adam, (Hugh Dancy), is a lonely bachelor, who is grieving the recent death of his father, (his mother died when he was 8). The unique thing about Adam is that he has Asperger’s Syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism. Adam doesn’t really have any friends, except for a kind, patient man named Harlen, who was a friend of Adam’s father. This is all about to change when a pretty young woman, Beth, (Rose Byrne) moves into Adam’s apartment building. The two meet, and slowly begin to fall in love. Some of the scenes between Beth and Adam are some of the most touching scenes in the movie. Beth, like Adam, is also experiencing the loss of her father, through a prison term for a fraudulent crime. This, while helping give more perspective to Beth’s character, was distracting from the story about Adam.

What really makes this movie work is the excellent performances by Rose Byrne, and in particular, Hugh Dancy. Adam is sweet and charming, without being too childlike. Hugh Dancy is perfectly cast as Adam, as an innocent but mature and highly intelligent young man.

The script is somewhat stereotyped, which is to be expected in a movie. For example, no aspie’ would ever make comments to anyone like what Adam says to Beth in the movie trailer. Most aspies, by the time they are in their twenties, have had enough experience to pass in most social situations. However, Hugh Dancy’s delivery of the line is believable enough to make Adam’s character work. And the simple score by Christopher Lennertz fits this low key film, and Adam’s character perfectly.

Having personal, first hand knowledge of Asperger’s syndrome makes this movie all the more moving. Although this movie has been advertised as a romantic comedy, it is more of a drama. We see Adam’s struggles, as well as successes. The final scene of the film offers hope for Adam, and other adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. Go see this film. Whether you know Asperger’s Syndrome or not, this film is a touching story that will stay with you long after.

‘A note about Asperger’s Syndrome, and politically correct language.

Many people with developmental delays such as Asperger’s are moving away from pathological language to describe members of their own community. People with Asperger’s claim they do not “suffer” from Asperger’s, rather they have it, as a natural part of who they are. “Aspie” is a name that people in the Asperger’s community use to describe themselves. “Neurotypical”, or “NT”, is the name that Aspies use to describe the general (non-Aspie) population.

Being an Aspie can be likened to moving to a foreign country. You have to learn a new language, new social rules, new laws, and perhaps even get used to a different climate. The first few years will be a struggle, but over time, you will fit into the new country, while still maintaining your cultural identity. The transition will be even easier if you have support from successful immigrants from you country of origin to help bridge the gap from the old country into the new. Aspies too, do best when they receive support from both the Aspie and neurotypical communities.

To learn more about the Asperger’s community follow these links.’

www.aspergers.ca

www.autism.net

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Adam Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

Adam is a sweet and tender movie about a young man who experiences love and loss. The young man, Adam, also has Aspergers Syndrome.

It’s never easy for a film to accurately portray a character with any disorder or syndrome without resorting to clichés or caricatures. Fortunately this movie managed to accurately portray the essence of Aspergers Syndrome in the short time it had to develop the character of Adam. Since no two individuals with Aspergers present the same way in their challenges and behaviours, Adam had to be a composite of many individuals.

The credit has to go to Hugh Daney for making Adam a truly believable and likeable character. Having recently seen Hugh Daney in ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic” I found it hard to believe I was seeing the same man in Adam.

I really liked and believed the growing friendship and love between Adam and his neighbour, Beth (played wonderfully by Rose Byrne). I laughed and cried with Adam and Beth as they both struggled to understand and accept one another. It was Adam who touched me the most. I wish there had been more scenes showing Adam’s growth as a person and more scenes with his friend Harlen (Frankie Faison).

What took me out of the movie was the whole sub-plot of Beth’s father’s court case. I understand that introducing Beth’s family was important to establishing where Beth was emotionally. However, when Adam was going for his job interview, I wanted to watch the interview rather than having the scene cut to the courtroom. While the outcome of the courtcase is important to the story too much time was spent on these scenes. They were a distraction from the main story.

Overall Adam is a really nice movie. The story is believable and the ending fitting. The acting is excellent all around particularly Hugh Dancy’s Adam. The emotional ups and downs in the story and Adam’s character are wonderfully matched with Christopher Lennertz’ simple, paired down score of mainly piano and guitar.

Adam may not be a perfect movie, but neither is Adam the man. Both however felt real and had a heart, and both touched mine.

Adam is worth seeing if you like a good love story, know someone with Aspergers or are interested in learning more about Aspergers. If Adam is your first introduction to Aspergers syndrome check online to learn more about Aspergers and high-functioning Autism. There are many ways to support adults on the Autism spectrum reach their full potential in this world, just like Adam. Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome is the first step. Seeing “Adam’ is a good place to start.

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Adam Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Adam (Hugh Dancy) lives alone in a New York flat after the recent death of his father. With his father’s help he has coped with Asperger Syndrome, and his father’s old friend (Frankie Faison) now looks out for him, but the good job where he was happily left alone engineering voice chips for dolls is coming to an end. With his special interest in astronomy Adam has turned his flat into a planetarium and he likes to go out into Central Park at night to observe nature in the sky and also on the ground. When Beth (Rose Byrne) moves into the same building, they gradually develop a relationship despite, but also partly because of, their differences. Beth is a kindergarten teacher from a wealthy family whose father (Peter Gallagher) is on trial for some shady business dealings. He doesn’t think much of Adam, though Beth’s mother (Amy Irving) appreciates how refreshing Beth must find Adam’s sweetness and guileless honesty in light of her previous relationships.

Adam is a romantic film with two very attractive lovers, one of whom just happens to be an “Aspie” coping in a world of “NT’s” (neurotypicals). As such, it should have a much wider appeal than a film like Mozart and the Whale, which deals sensitively with autism but with its predominantly marginal cast may be dismissed by many as a freak show. Both Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne are brilliant, all the more remarkable for the convincing replacement of their respective English and Australian accents with neutral (not New York) American speech. The film is not perfect. After some touching and amusing scenes of Beth coaching Adam in the job interview skills unfortunately lacking in most Aspies, the interview itself is barely seen, while the father’s trial which is intercut with it runs its course. The title character gives the movie most of its charm, and the trial and a classroom discussion of the Emperor’s New Clothes are distractions from it.

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Adam (Hugh Dancy) and Beth (Rose Byrne) "Look at Sky" Together

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Consensus: Adam is an accurate portrayal of an individual with Asperger’s Syndrome. Overall it is a good film although there is a subplot which is largely unneeded and distracting. *** (Out of 4)

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Beth (Rose Byrne) and Adam (Hugh Dancy) Share An Awkward Moment

To read an interview with music composer Christopher Lennertz about the film Adam, click here.