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: $13.36
You Save: $13.59 (50%)
New (37) Used (8) from $13.36
Avg. Customer Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 3082
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 93
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: NNVG109471
UPC: 767685109472
EAN: 0767685109472
ASIN: B0012XIGZ0
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: May 13, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW AND FACTORY SEALED
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| Editorial Reviews:
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
Product Description
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 breakthroughs this spellbinding film offers a full-throated celebration of kids living with an 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. "Moving dramatic therapeutic and unburdened by reliance on talking heads" (Variety) this film will change the way you look at autism.System Requirements:Running Time: 93 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/BIOGRAPHY UPC: 767685109472 Manufacturer No: NNVG109471
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
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
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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!
Sweet, endearing insights August 26, 2008
At first I was skeptical that this would be disparaging to those with Autism, but it was instead a sweet look inside their world.
portrait of the variety of kids and symptoms of asd August 16, 2008
As a parent and sibling of people with autism, and a part of the special education system, I found this DVD to be very moving, inspiring, thoughtful and honest. It showed the variety of symptoms that can be associated with ASD and how different people cope with them, and the stress on family members and the individuals themselves.
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