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Autism: The Musical |  | Director: Tricia Regan
Actors: Elaine Hall, Rosanne Katon, Kristen Stills, Stephen Stills
Studio: DOCURAMA
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $9.73
as of 7/31/2010 03:49 MDT details
You Save: $10.22 (51%)
Seller: Supermart
Rating:  29 reviews
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Running Time: 93 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: NVGD109471D
UPC: 767685109472
EAN: 0767685109472
Release Date: May 13, 2008
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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
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
Special message from Tricia Regan:
"I work with dangerous materials. When handled correctly, a camera records the truth. When infused with a powerful belief, the results of months of editing can yield a film that slices through the layers of distraction and strikes you right at your very core.
It took forever to find a title for this movie. Autism: The Musical is not an “issue” film. Watching this film, you are not going to learn all about the causes and treatments for autism. No experts are going to show up and describe to you in detail all of the various manifestations of autism. You are simply going to experience autism as the characters do: as their primary obstacle in life, and their primary obstacle in putting on an original musical.
By characters, I mean people. This movie is about people who are very real, and very raw, but also very funny and very entertaining. Autism can be devastating, let’s make no bones about that, but it is also a fact of life. And this particular group of people, parents and children alike, have taken on this challenge with courage, hard work, hope, sometimes denial and sometimes acceptance, but most importantly, they have not lost their sense of humor about it all.
So I wanted a title that wasn’t sacrosanct, that could let you know that it’s as okay to laugh and have a good time as it is to cry. Because my goal from the start has been to allow you to see these kids as whole people. And to give you firsthand experience of the dizzying, fascinating, sometimes terrifying and usually mystifying array of autism’s manifestations.
I believe in the inherent value of every living being, and their inalienable right to be respected for everything that they are. There is an entire generation of kids whose neurological systems have been altered by autism. Their challenges make it difficult for them to participate in the culture we have created. Our challenge, as a community, is to find room in our hearts, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, and in our workplaces for these unique individuals. This film, which many have called a love story, brings home exactly why we should. So gather up a few hankies, and be prepared to laugh – but I must give you fair warning – this film will change the way you think, and not just about autism."
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 29
For a Friend March 17, 2010
Mellie (Memphis TN)
I actually saw this show on tv and was very touched and compelled by it, especially because I have a friend whose daughter is autistic. I hear of the daily struggles that she has to handle, both from her daughter and from her daughter's school. I was sure she had already seen or heard of this documentary, but I ordered it for her to perhaps share with her daughter's teachers. She is a constant advocate for her daughter, which I can only imagine, must be exhausting in itself. Well, it turned out my friend had not seen the video and it really helped her heart as well as her family's. She mentioned that so many of the comments made in the documentary, she had made herself, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house after watching it. But it gave her insight and inspiration on how best to approach her daughter's school on certain issues, and maybe asking her teachers to view the video too. It certainly was an eye-opener for me. It is very candid, a little bad language (I had forgotten to mention that to my friend), emotional, tear-producing and represents only a peek into the world of those with autism and the loved ones who handle these very special children every day of their lives.... I think every teacher should have to sit down, and watch this, and learn from it. One day, they may notice there is a particular child in the classroom, who seems......different, but needs their support more than ever.
 Good film for those with a connection to autism, or just want to know more about it January 4, 2010
Joseph P. Menta, Jr. (Philadelphia, PA USA)
This is a well done film about autism, both about the children who have the condition and the parents who deal with it every day. My wife works in special education and was pleased by the comprehensive picture it presented of the challenges faced both by the kids and their parents, with the latter sometimes finding that their marriages simply can't survive those challenges.
Myself, I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more of "the musical" in a movie called "Autism: The Musical". The musical is built up over the course of the movie with frequent title cards that say things like "three weeks before the performance", "two weeks before the performance", etc., yet when we get to the actual musical production performed by the autistic kids, it's just another seven-or-eight-minute vignette among a film comprised of seven-or-eight-minute vignettes. But that's more of a criticism based on the expectations created by the film's title, rather than a criticism of the film itself.
"Autism: The Musical" looks and sounds great on DVD, and there are a variety of interesting extra features, mostly involving additional scenes of the kids.
A very special documentary film on Autism. Deeply touching. December 18, 2009
CQ DX (Ohio, USA)
Unless you have an Autistic child on 'the spectrum', you probably don't know what parents (or other caregivers) have to go through in caring for these wonderful yet demanding children. The joy and pain can be very taxing phyiscally and mentally. Without a doubt, the hardest job in the world is parenting Autistic or other 'special needs' children. The film is about how these kids, with a lot of love and guidance, can 'break barriers' and accomplish surprising feats. In this case, a special mini-musical/play was put together for a group of Autistic kids, who practiced for weeks, then pulled it off! The film is full of ups and downs, and you will empathize and cry as you experience what the parents of these kids do to try and help them.
At a glimpse September 14, 2009
M. M. Oconnor (Sydney, Australia)
This is put together very well, giving an insight as to what children with Autism have to deal with everyday, and that of their parents/families too. Not enough light is shed on the world of Autism, so this is a very important film too. I laughed and I cried, but throughout, I was inspired. A great film.
Could easily be a reality series. September 12, 2009
AKRoberts
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
My daughter is almost 5 and was diagnosed with autism shortly before turning 3. Unless you have a child or sibling with autism, you have no idea what day to day living is like. This movie touches on it and reveals some of the struggles families face as well as the heartwarming side of this puzzling disorder. My husband and I watched it together first, then I lent it to our daughter's caregiver, her Montessori teacher and currently my mother has it. I plan to pass this movie along to anyone who works with my daughter and family so they can have a better understanding of what life is like with a loved one who has autism.
I say the premise of Autism: The Musical could easily become a mini-series or reality series because not every issue facing families of children with autism could be covered in this 90 minute documentary. Seemingly simple everyday tasks like going to the grocery store, the shoe store, family photo sessions at JCPenney, dining out, playdates, sibling issues, etc. could be featured to give viewers an even better understanding of the struggles families face.
Overall, if you know someone who has a child with autism or work with special needs children, it is worth your while to watch Autism: The Musical.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 29
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