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| Autism - The Musical | 
| Director: Tricia Regan
Actors: Elaine Hall, Rosanne Katon, Kristen Stills, Stephen Stills
Studio: DOCURAMA
Category: DVD
List Price: $26.95
Buy New: $15.94
You Save: $11.01 (41%)
New (39) from $15.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 6274
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Running Time: 93 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: NVGD109471D
UPC: 767685109472
EAN: 0767685109472
ASIN: B0012XIGZ0
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: May 13, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW sealed shipped daily. International Shipping via Air Mail.
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Product Description
The heartwarming story of an acting coach who stages a musical production starring a group of children with autism shattering the myths of autism in the process. Studio: New Video Group Release Date: 05/13/2008 Run time: 93 minutes
Amazon.com
It's hard to imagine an unlikelier feel-good documentary than the uplifting Autism: The Musical. Directed for HBO by Tricia Regan, but truly the brainchild of the vision--and sheer will--of Elaine Hall, the film is both unflinching in its portrayal of autism, and triumphant in the ways it shows connections among the film's subjects. For those dealing with autism--and as the diagnosis grows more common, that would be nearly everyone--this film is enlightening, engaging, and reaffirming. The film chronicles the first theater arts endeavor of the L.A.-based Miracle Project, the creation of Hall ("Coach E"), a playwright and the single mother of Neal, a nearly speechless autistic boy. Through networking, Hall has met a group of parents of children with an enormous range of autistic symptoms and decides to try a workshop in which the children will, in a matter of months, be cohesive enough to perform in a stage production. The film follows Hall from the initial (and skeptical) meetings of the parents, and introduces the several children followed throughout the rehearsal period. Part of the disarming strength of the film is that it changes its perspective on showing the children's personalities. Viewers first meet 14-year-old Lexi when she's singing a musically complex Joni Mitchell song, in a clear, absolutely lovely soprano, in what appears to be a regular singing lesson. Only later do we learn that Lexi, diagnosed with autism as a toddler, has a hard time originating her own speech--though hearing her sing, the viewer would never have guessed. (Her parents still struggle with Lexi's condition, with her mother alternating between frustration and despair, and her father calmly saying, "It's not up to us to judge the quality of her life.") Other kids with behavioral issues or communication challenges are among the cast members, and the early scenes show a barely-controlled chaos that clearly mirrors the daily lives of the parents. The toll of dealing with their children is shown, as marriages break up and friendships are strained. Yet love blossoms in the most unlikely places, as Hall shows midway through the film. By the triumphant finale, the viewer is as invested in the children's lives as the parents, and the performances, while perhaps not what one would have expected at the beginning, present nothing short of a true "Bravo!" moment. As the kids sing, "Take a chance--get to know the real me." --A.T. Hurley
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
I love this show November 15, 2008
I saw this on TV, it was good. The kids are cute and it has good info about autism and living with autism. Good show. I cried a good cry.
Great Movie October 21, 2008
This was a great movie being a parent of a 3 year old girl with autism and being around other autistic kids you kinda have a appreciation for movies that come along like this. I do know there are plenty of kids that are worse than the ones shown in this movie but this does bring an awareness.
best film I have seen about autism September 25, 2008
It has been some months since I first saw this film, and I found it to be entertaining and educational, but most of all extremely moving. It shows why autism is considered a spectrum disorder, and how both people with autism and their families cope in the many ways humans do. There is nothing sentimental about the film, and yet is is very humanistic, in the best sense of the word. Kudos to the director and all those involved. Anybody who has someone affected by autism will be moved, and the general public would do itself a favor by watching this inspiring documentary.
Autism the Musical September 15, 2008
First off: I absolutely ADORE this movie! Every time it comes on TV I just HAVE to watch it.
Adam is an autistic savant who is an amazing cellist, and loves to chase girls on the playground. Henry has AS and is the son of Stephen Stills, and is a walking encyclopedia on reptiles and dinosaurs. Neal is non-verbal and was adopted from Russia and diagnosed autistic soon after adoption. His mom, Elaine, runs the program. Wyatt has high-functioning autism, and is very smart and witty. Lexi is the only girl that is focused on, and she doesn't quite have a severe form.
I love how the movie turned out at the end and I would recommend it to anybody.
Inspiring and balanced depiction of autism September 8, 2008
I have a 5 year old who has Autism and I thought this movie was right on! What I liked most was that it illustrated the full spectrum of autism. It told stories of quirky kids with aspergers and high-functioning autism as well as kids who are non-verbal with severe communication and social impairments. The best part is that the viewer gets to see all of these kids together as they are led by a wonderful mom who ambitiousy directs them in the production of a play. Very inspiring!
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