MovieChat Forums > Freddie Highmore Discussion > Has Anyone Else Noticed This?

Has Anyone Else Noticed This?

posted 15 years ago by CloakedSparrow
9 replies | jump to latest

First off, I do not mean this as an insult to the actor or any of his fans. So please, don't go on a rant or anything. Thanks.

Now, I have only really been aware of Freddie Highmore in three films, Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Spiderwick Chronicles. My question spawns from the latter. Throughout the film (in both roles), he appears to be having what are either small seizures or just notable spasms.

His head does a sort of slow jerk, his breathing appears to catch, and the pace of his speech is thrown off slightly. I especially noticed it when the twins were talking in the bedroom while looking at a photo or painting (can't recall which, sorry).

At first, I thought it was just something that struck me, as I'm a home caretaker for someone who suffers from various types of seizures. I mentioned it to a friend of mine later on, while watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and he said that he actually stopped watching Spiderwick the first time he attempted to see it on DVD because he was too distracted by these spasms to get into the plot. Then, my mother recently saw the film and asked me if I could check on-line to see if there was 'something wrong with that poor little boy'.

Hence this post.

Has anyone else noticed this, or heard anything about it either being part of the role or a condition of the actor's?

If you're wrong, you just have to say 'sorry'.
-Near(Death Note)

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[–] CloakedSparrow 15 years ago

Well, it isn't a grand mal or anything, just the subtle signs I mentioned in the OP. I noticed it throughout the film, it was just most prominent in that scene, as the camera was still and you were seeing it all in double.

As I said earlier, I had originally thought it was just me, since I have to look for such signs constantly in my work. Considering that my friend and mother saw them separately though, I think there is likely something there. However, it could be as simple as the actor keeping unusual hours/over exerting himself and his body having some trouble adjusting, as you've suggested.

Thank you for taking the time to look and respond. I appreciate it.

If you're wrong, you just have to say 'sorry'.
-Near(Death Note)

[–] CloakedSparrow 15 years ago

As do I. I wouldn't wish any such condition on anyone, but especially not a kid with a decent future ahead of him.

If you're wrong, you just have to say 'sorry'.
-Near(Death Note)

[–] AnnoyingCustomer37 15 years ago

I'm watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory right now and have noticed nothing out of the ordinary.

[–] CloakedSparrow 15 years ago

I didn't notice anything on that film either. My question was based on the film The Spiderwick Chronicles. Thank you for taking the time to reply though.

If you're wrong, you just have to say 'sorry'.
-Near(Death Note)

[–] peplowe 12 years ago

I have not observed the behavior you are describing, but if you have seen this
in more than just one film, my guess would be that it is one of the many manifestations of Tourette's syndrome. I have a friend who is a neurologist and he told me that most neurologists will spend their entire careers never seeing a case of Tourette's. This could be because it is a relatively rare disorder or because it goes unrecognized and undiagnosed. Tourette's is not the same from person to person. Most people only know about the coprolalia problem, which occurs in only 10% of people who have Tourette's. It can be so subtle that a person could have it their entire life and not realize it. There are so many symptoms and no one has them all. Some are extremely subtle. I think David Letterman's eye-blinking could be a form of Tourette's. The diagnosis for that is very simple -- you ask the person to squeeze their eyes shut as tight as they can. If the blinking continues, that indicates an inability to control the blinking. People with this particular symtom often complain of insomnia, when in fact it is the blinking that is keeping them awake. Any of the cranial nerves can misfire at a regular rate and cause a symptom such as blinking, throat clearing, head jerks, facial twitches. It can cause a lot of social discomfort, but at least there is no pain involved. Do I have Tourette's? Yes, I do. I was initially diagnosed when I was 60 years old, sitting in an airport boarding lounge. A 10-year-old boy asked me if I had Tourette's. (Imagine my surprise!) He had the same symptoms that I have, only much worse. But he didn't let it get to him. He was one of the most intelligent, articulate, confident kids I have ever met. As soon as I got home again, I went to see my friend the neurologist and got a definite diagnosis. He was as surprised as I was.