Mozart und der wal

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.

The story of the film is very strong and it could have been far better if the delicacy of the relationship and the hurdles it finds when both the companions are crazy were depicted more clearly. I was expecting more. Although I was disappointed that it didn't do proper justice but never regretted to watch the film. I think I'll like to watch it again some time. Kudos to the efforts of Josh and Radha although Josh impressed me more. While Donald's disability was more pronounced in the screen little was shown about the problem with Izzy. The subject is very daring and needs full justice. The movie does open our thoughts towards the Aspergers and thats the biggest accomplishment for it. Such social films are more encouraged. Initially I was wondering about the title selection but in the middle of the movie, I found it perfect. It couldn't have been better. Its Halloween that the real of oneself comes out and aptly, they are the whale and the Mozart.

We waited in anticipation for the release of Mozart and the Whale for 2 years. We kept writing the company and asking when it would be released. We met Jerry Newport at ASA 2 years ago (my son, Josh, aged 11 has Asperger's Syndrome) and wanted so much to see the story of him and Mary. As an aside, I wish you could have heard the conversation between Jerry and Michael John Carley on the various Beethoven movements...it was the most amazing impromptu music theory talk I have ever heard.

At any rate, Mozart and the Whale was in limited release and so we waited for the DVD to be out. Finally it is!! And we watched it last night. We were not disappointed. It was wonderful. There was so much truth in it. We saw the range of autism in the group that Donald formed. Then there was the quirkiness of the various people. But it showed the love and caring that can form among any person, no matter what the diagnosis. We loved Izzy's laugh...that HA! We know kids with Asperger's who can't modulate their sounds and sound way loud in their approach to life.

I also loved the sequences about his living style. This is so much like my son....the stacks of stuff...the collections....the freaking out when his stuff is moved around....this is all real folks. And it is portrayed with a sensitivity and humor that can't help but to make you smile and/or laugh....not at Donald and Izzy, but with the cherishing of the moments that parents feel when they experience the familiarity of the moments.

But to me, the big question was what would Josh (my son) think of how Asperger's was depicted. Now, remember, he met Jerry and really thinks he is COOL. Josh said "see mom, that means that I can meet someone and get married too, so don't worry anymore". This movie gives me hope that a life of independence and companionship is possible for Josh.

Yes, we adore Jerry Newport. He knows a lot...he shares some of it with us in this film. Do yourself a favor...get this DVD and let's hope that Sundance will show the world that Mozart and the Whale is a film that needs to be shown.

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!

My opinion is obviously prejudiced as I am "the whale" in the title of this movie. My wife is "Mozart." I appreciate the time the cast and other principals spent with real aspergers and autism adults. It paid off. Both Josh Hartnett and Radha Mitchell did a terrific job of capturing the spirit of myself and my wife when we met.

Rahda looks much more like Mary did when we met. I was never as tall as Josh but was much slimmer at his age. There are all kinds of whales and while Josh is a nice, sleek Blue Whale by comparison, I have become an Orca in my middle age.

I have high hopes that an eventual theater release will enable this film to do a great service to my community and to anyone who feels different and wants a soulmate!

In order to not unduly influence the tally, I gave it a seven which is the current average rating although I think it merits a higher number.

"The Whale" fka Jerry Newport