Mozart und der wal

Many people have doubts about Josh Hartnett's acting abilities. He's landed some good performances in his earliest roles (The Virgin Suicides, O), but once the teenagers adopted him as the next big celebrity crush he got swallowed in the hype that led to Pearl Harbor. This destroyed any credibility he might have as an actor, and he has spent the rest of the decade trying to prove himself as a serious actor and to get rid of the hearth throb image.

He completely succeeds in this goal with Mozart and the Whale. He plays Donald, a young man with Asperger's syndrome so well, you forget it's him. The performance is rough, unpolished and honest, and while it might not be technically perfect it's evident Hartnett was very inspired and motivated. It is a very good performance, and anybody who doubts his acting abilities should watch this film before making a judgment. The only problem is: not many people saw this film. And it is a shame.

Radha Mitchell plays Isabelle, a young woman with Asperger's, and the film follows the two protagonists fall in love. Mitchell is also good in her role, but is less sympathetic; that is, until you realize what it seems like annoying, shallow girl, is actually the display of her Asperger's syndrome.

The film itself, however, is full of the problems. It tries to be a romantic comedy about an unusual couple, but it doesn't work that way. Rumor says something went wrong in the production, and due to some executive meddling the film failed to be a drama it was meant to be. Allegedly, this made Josh Hartnett mad and he chose not to promote the film, which is a shame, because it's probably his best performance to date.

Sometimes, it feels like a genuine story about people with Asperger's meeting, falling in love and having a relationship (it is based on true people and events), but at the moments it is reduced to the common denominator. You simply can't do that with a theme like this; this one doesn't work as a romantic comedy with quirky protagonists. It also feels like good 30 minutes of it is missing; it's rushed, especially in the last third.

Still, even simplified and "Hollywoodised", this film is a good watch. But it's mainly because of the main cast, particularly Hartnett. He finds his voice like never before and manages to make us believe he's an individual with Asperger's living his life, falling in love, and trying to resolve everyday problems.

At the end, the film is disappointing, but the best scenes deserve to be watched over and over again. Essentially, this film is a missed potential with some great acting.

Josh Harnet (Ronald Martin) did so good as a unique being that falls in love with another being with ASD Radha Mitchell which is awkward and precious! I have Asperger's too, I love this movie for what it is! The cinematography is fair, the accuracy with everything is delightful, and the writing is impressive. I love the quirkiness throughout and the endearing animals. Mozart and the Whale is delightfully enjoyable, I recommend anyone with differences see it.

This is the only film about Aspergers and I value it. It is GREAT to see star-power giving awareness.

Having Aspergers myself, I could do what most people ('nero-typicals') couldn't- understand and associate with the characters. Though at the same time there were differences... because everyone with Aspergers is different.

So I found myself going, "Hey thats me!" Or, "Hey thats not me!" throughout. It varies from one thing to the other- it can be right on the money or the polar opposite. It was fun/nice to recognize all the small/not so small things-in-common. As for the differences, they were irritable!

When I first heard of this movie a while ago, I didn't understand why it was called "Mozart And The Whale". But now I do, and you will too. It is beautiful and has multiple meanings.

Only thing is it may portray people with Aspergers as being out of control nuts or retards, which is not the way they really are. So they may be overexaggerating and misconcepting just a little there.

All in all, curious and informative. Its guaranteed to please and inspire any Aspie who watches it. May bring them together too. HOORAY!

I am not quite sure why it has not been released in any county other than Brazil, however I must say it definitely exceed my expectations. The idea I had for it of it being a poorly prepared romantic commercial comedy was proved in some ways wrong....in fact close to a feeling of Rainman I must confess it is a solid film based on what it intends and point to achieve, and it does it successfully.

A good and creative direction for its wise and innovative use in romantic relations of not so normal individuals, which has been seen to be misused and standardized in the past due to the little effort to use the element of the peculiar aspects of the condition of the characters in new areas of human relations, especially when it comes to romantic relations of two of them.

Also Radha Mitchell gives a better than average performance to which Hartnetts falls short, but not by much.

I recommend this film as a good and solid film work that achieves it's intentions to whoever has in mind the aims and limitations of such a romantic comedy, and takes it for what it is, sells and promises.

A simple story of two people trying to find companionship, happiness and love in a confusing world. The fact that these two inspiring and very real characters have Asperger's Syndrome is not really important, but the fact like so many of us they struggle to connect with a soul mate and maintain a relationship, is. From what Aspies tell me, the performances of both leads, Hartnett and Mitchell, are spot on... a real credit to both actors and it's obvious they researched their roles thoroughly. Both entertaining and thought provoking, it's a romance without being gushing, but one where you genuinely care for the people involved.

Watch this film if you have or know someone with autism or if you just happen to have tried and failed to find love and happiness in this weird world we live in.