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| View Larger Image | Autism: The Musical | DVDStarring: Elaine Hall, Rosanne Katon, Kristen Stills, Stephen Stills
Directed By: Tricia Regan
| List Price: | $26.95 | | Price: | $14.99 | | You Save: | $11.96 (44%) | | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
| | Binding: | DVD | | Rating: |  | | Run Time: | 93 minutes | | Format: | Color, DVD, NTSC | | Studio: | DOCURAMA | | Number of Discs: | 1 | | Aspect Ratio: | 1.33:1 | | Release Date: | May 13, 2008 | | Sales Rank: | 12,075th |
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FEATURES | - AUTISM: THE MUSICAL follows the extraordinary acting coach Elaine Hall, five children with autism, and their parents as they heroically mount a full-length original stage production. Through trial and error, tears and laughter, these incredible families learn to communicate their feelings in song and performance, finding solace and joy in the act of creating. A veritable feast of astounding bre
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
Autism: The Musical follows the extraordinary and innovative acting coach Elaine Hall, five autistic children, and their parents as they improbably, heroically mount a full-length original stage production. Through trial and error, tears and laughter, these incredible families learn to communicate their feelings in song and performance, finding solace and joy in the act of creating. A veritable feast of astounding breakthroughs and heartbreaking hardship, this spellbinding film offers a full-throated celebration of kids living with this increasingly prevalent disorder. Director Tricia Regan vividly captures the individual personalities and problems of each child, from precocious Henry who talks a mile-a-minute about dinosaurs to Neal, a sensitive and articulate boy who nonetheless struggles to speak at all. The parents, too, are fascinating studies in unconditional love, especially Elaine, the mastermind behind the musical and mother of Neal.A consciousness-raising and empathetic portrait of children and their families living with autism, Autism: The Musical celebrates the spark of humanity in each of us. Called 'Moving, dramatic, therapeutic and unburdened by reliance on talking heads'; (Variety), this film will change the way you look at autism. Stills from Autism: The Musical (Click for larger image) |
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. HurleySpecial 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." |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 26 reviews)
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At a glimpse by M. M. Oconnor (Sydney, Australia)  5 Stars
September 14, 2009
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.
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Could easily be a reality series. by AKRoberts 5 Stars
September 12, 2009
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.
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a new light on autism by Dennis D. Griffith (Lakewood CA) 5 Stars
August 25, 2009
Autism: The MusicalI purchased this as an adjunct to my college class in working with children with special needs. All my students loved it! Really shows the diversity of autism. It made us laugh and it made us cry. A great addition to my class!
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Autism, the musical by C. Davis (Longview, WA USA) 5 Stars
July 06, 2009
This is an insightful look into the lives of a few children and their families affected by autism. You will share some of the struggles and triumphs as they navigate through the challenges of planning, practicing and performing a musical showcase of their talents. Very personal and wonderfully done!
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awesome by Emily J. Lien (MN)  4 Stars
May 07, 2009
this movie was great, watched it with the whole family, and we all learned alot!
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| ABC News Primetime Aspergers Syndrome
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Autism Yesterday is a new documentary that explores an emerging truth many parents are discovering: Autism is a reversible condition through a process known as "biomedical intervention". Through the eyes of five families and their recovering children, Autism Yesterday chronicles heart-wrenching stories of despair, hope, and recovery. This 30-minute documentary puts an extraordinarily controversial topic into the hands of the viewer to decide, through the words of the families and affected...
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| 60 Minutes - Diagnosis: Autism (February 18, 2007)
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