I mean don't get me wrong, if it's executed well it can be a great plot device (ex. Forrest Gump, Rain Man) but overall these movies seem to be just one long exercise in emotional manipulation. Does anyone else feel this way?
shareNo I don't. Sure not every movie that involves disability is a good one but as the mother of a severly autistic child myself, I'm glad the word is getting out.
Matthew 28:19-20
Wouldn't you rather have the word come out in a more accurate and less condescending manner, though? I have Asperger Syndrome, and I am royally annoyed at the stereotype that anyone mentally disabled, autistic or no, is so severely handicapped that there is no hope of them ever having anything resembling a normal life. That's sadly true in some cases, but disabilities run the gamut from mild to severe, and most of them are not severe. This isn't really so much what this "film" is trying to get across, but so many of its peers do it that I find it very difficult not to think of the trend when this movie comes up in conversation.
"Rain Man" is a great movie and one of my favorites, but I'm beginning to think that its impact on the film world was more negative than positive. The "Magical Disabled Person" seems to have become commonplace in the years since then, only petering out recently because it is no longer profitable. Some of the movies spawned by the trend were actually pretty good, with really good acting, but I'd give up all the enjoyment I got out of those movies if it would erase the condescension towards people that sprung out of them.
Only three movies I've ever seen about people with mental disabilities, "Benny and Joon," "Phoebe in Wonderland," and "Adam," have treated these characters like actual, complex human beings. They aren't perfect movies by any means, but they're much more moving and emotionally truthful than the majority of the begging-for-Oscar mental-illness-of-the-week movies that used to come out of Hollywood every twenty minutes. The characters in that movie weren't just illnesses or stereotypes with names and human forms attached to them. They had goals, strengths, weaknesses, setbacks, triumphs, and, eventually, some sort of happiness and peace despite their struggles. They weren't savants with amazing abilities, they weren't severely handicapped man-children, they weren't annoying, neurotic collections of tics and symptoms. They were people. Real, genuine people.
As for movies like "The Other Sister," I've begun to think over the years that people don't make fun of that movie because the characters are mentally retarded. No, they make fun of it because the way the movie shows mental retardation is so offensively pandering, cloying, and mocking that they don't think of the characters as anything close to real people. They're right; they aren't.
Maybe it's a little harsh of me to say that, but this is genuinely the most offensive movie that I have ever come across in my life. (Though I don't think it's anywhere near as bad as that book "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime," which has everything I railed against and more going against it.) So yes, original poster, I am quite sick of this trend.
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Raisins are really just humiliated grapes.
You're right that some movies don't portray handicapped people like they should but The Other Sister doesn't bother me because Juliet Lewis' character Carla is comfortable with who she is. Even when her mother (who I didn't like)continues to alternately pretend Carla is some high society blue blood that she has to make fit into the box or decides Carla can't possibly think for herself or take care of herself so I have to make all of her decisions for her. But in the end you see Carla standing on her own, standing by decisions she made for herself, married to a man she loves and that loves her with no artifice or games. I think the message was a good one.
Even more so than Rain Man because at the end of that movie (which I liked) the message is people with autism can't possibly function outside of an institution. The ending always makes me angry. Would Tom Cruise have had to make major life adjustments so he could have his brother, absolutely. But he would have made them. It wouldn't have been perfect at first but the change in Ray's attitude from the beginning to the end was so dramatic you have no doubt he loved his brother and would've done what he needed to do for him. But besides all that I don't think Charlie should've been institutionalized to begin with. He needed routine. As a parent if that's what your child needs you give it not expect somebody else to give it for you.
As far as Adam I've not seen it yet but am looking forward to it.
Matthew 28:19-20
I agree that children should not be institutionalized just because they have a disability. I also agree that many people with Autism and other disabilities can function outside of an institutional setting. You, have to consider, however, the time frame of Rain Man. When Raymond was born, many experts probably encouraged parents to institutionalize children who had conditions such as Autism, Down Syndrome, etc. The United States didn't have federal laws for educating children with disabilities until 1975. Rain Main came out in 1988. That was just 13 years after Congress passed The Education of the Handicapped Act of 1975. This 1975 law only applied to school aged children who were between the ages of 5 to 21. In 1990, the law was amended to include school aged children who were between 3 and 21. The 1990 amendment also added an Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program for children. ECI is for children from infants until they reach the age of 3. Once they turn 3, they qualify for help in their state's public school system. Congress Also passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. I know this is lengthy, and a little off subject. I'm just trying to show that the character of Raymond was probably to old to be helped by some of the laws and changes of society that have helped people who have disabilities. The only law that probably would have helped him was ADA 1990. Also, this movie was written by people who might have had outdated or limited knowledge about people who have disabilities.
shareI agree with you that it's easier now to get help than it was then. But even without the law to help as a parent I couldn't have done it. And I'm not alone in that decision. Temple Grandin's mother, in the early 50's, refused to do the same to Temple and look how it worked out for her. I'm not saying every case would be that easy but I think Raymond's was. Plus Rain Man was based on Kim Peek, who was also born in the 50's and not institutionalized. It would've been harder but not impossible.
Matthew 28:19-20
I'm not saying that it would be impossible. I was just trying to point out that, in the past, many people institutionalized children who had disabilities such as Autism. I agree that many of these children should not have been institutionalized. Many of the medical and social service professions, however, did encourage this institutionalization. There were parents that ignored this recommendation. Most of these professionals have now changed their minds.
I saw an inspiring news story about a young man who has Autism. I saw this last night. His parents were told to institutionalize him. They did not do this. He just graduated from high school. In fact, he was their Salutatorian.
Also, I have a loved one who has Down Syndrome. In the past, she might have been institutionalized. I'm glad she's not. She is a wonderful, smart, funny, and precious little girl.
What is your opinion of the portrayal of Aspergers on the tv show Parenthood? Personally as a school teacher I feel that a main character with this type of situation was long overdue. Discuss.
shareIf this is the most offensive movie that you have EVER seen then it's safe to say you haven't seen much (not to be rude but REALLY though? please, smh)
shareSaid WeirdMovieFan on June 10, 3010:
"I have Asperger Syndrome, "
Me,too, or something close to it.
Unfortunately, the Disney Channel is here to stay. Ba-zinga.
shareI don't mind the Disney Channel. I just wish they would play more of their older movies, etc. Some of their new shows encourage children too grow up too fast. Look at Hannah Montana. She is a teenager with boyfriends and teenage problems, but the show is catered to preteen girls. Arthur is a much better choice for children in this age group. It deals with preteen children and preteen problems. It is cute and pretty wholesome. Of course, I have don't have cable and so I don't get to watch it much.
shareThere are sooo many shows out there not heathly for our children. It's not just a Disney Channel problem. The cartoon network has way too many shows mine aren't allowed to watch.
That being said I saw that news story, it was pretty awesome.
Matthew 28:19-20
I agree that it's not just a Disney Channel problem. I guess the Disney Channel isn't as bad as some other channels. The cartoon network probably has a lot of violent cartoons. I don't have cable and, so I haven't seen much of either channel. Some of the shows on the Disney Channel might be okay if parents would sit down and watch it with their child. This would give them the opportunity to point out things that a child should not do, and things that can't really happen. The same could be said for any movie or show that is geared toward kids. There are some, however, that I would never want a kid to watch.
I agree about the news story about the boy who had Autism. I liked it, too. I have a loved one who has Down Syndrome. She is a wonderful little girl. She's smart and has a great sense of direction. She also is an excellent swimmer.
Was wondeirng on what news story till I read earlier posts..in this.
share Arthur is a much better choice for children in this age group. It deals with preteen children and preteen problems. It is cute and pretty wholesome. Of course, I have don't have cable and so I don't get to watch it much.
Seriously? Arthur?! If you are talking about the cartoon good luck trying to get a preteen to tune in religiously to that.
I really like your car Mrs. Larusso!
This film was very enjoyable. I have a mentally disabled sister. And I LOVE of how this film respected that. It wasn't trash like The Water Boy or The Ringer or crap music groups like The Insane Clown Posse or The Bloodhound Gang as to where they make fun of the disabled. In general where the whole plot line or message was LET'S MAKE FUN OF THE DISABLED! If only these people knew someone who had these challenges, maybe they'd grow a heart and respect them. I'm not holding my breath. But I adore this movie.
shareI've never seen the movie that this board is about, but I can't stand it when people make fun of people who have disabilities.
I completly agree! This movie is just a joke.
shareTotally not. This movie was a wonderful movie for many. Here's why, from my v antage point.
First, the characters were high functioning mentally challenged. I'm not sure that they would necessarily qualify as mentally retarded by some definitions, since they were so high on the adaptive functioning spectrum which in ad. Borderline Mental Retardation perhaps. And, they were both very attractive, charming, and wholesome. They were young adults that you would want your children to be friends with. If you had a buisness, they were young adults that you might try and find a job for. So, the portrayal of them broadened the learning disability spectrum and I think that it's a good thing for this population. Unlike some movies that reinforce negative stereotypes about a sub-culture, this movie did so only judiciously.
The level of assimilation, into their respective communities of band, vocational school, bycycling, tennis, and small jobs was also good. Often, movies are made with the intent of showing darkness, drama and poignancy. Drama is born out of tension, sorrow, suffering, etc. So, cinematically, it makes sense that many movies would show the negative underbelly of the human condition. That said, if you are in the sub-population or culture that the movies are centered around, then the potential for demoralization of those communal members is increased, when the only movies made for them, are despair oriented. So, this was good. Just as the Broadway play Producers was.
Nope! I know there is this actor that is mentally challenge,and can really act. Everyone has some type of gift.
''Don't worry,Be Happy''
If someone is holding a gun to your head please call 911.
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