Autopilot

This movie made me cry. It's so sad. If you aren't into that type of film don't watch this movie. You'll hate it. It's that kind of film. If you can't feel the pain and suffering of others don't watch this film. You are a cold, sick, senseless bastard. Otherwise it is a must see film. It definitely was well done. It deserves a 9/10 rating if not a 10/10 rating. It's basically about the cruelty of society and one mans journey through a mental institution and his own psychological trauma. An accident 16 years prior in his childhood that are psychologically too painful to overcome. Put there as a child, forced to cope with a society that is unforgiving and then forced to cope with a system that has not prepared him for the real world, nor those once released.

This movie brings to life an incredible story that despite its challenge is depicted beautifully with a very talented cast. The lead role of Tanner, a mentally disturbed man released from a mental institution, is played extremely well by Alex Knudsen. This is a very intense and sensitive film, very moving and sad in parts. You would love it if you're into that kind of a psychological movie; its not for the faint of heart who cannot handle the tragedy and sadness that the story is based on. It brings out sensitivities and contradictions that are revealing and made me appreciate the story and the talented acting and direction that resulted in a truly beautiful film.

The film Autopilot was recommended to me on amazon.com, and I have to say it really surpasses the typical Indie fare. The lead (played by Alex Knudsen) plays Tanner, a troubled man having just being released from a mental institution, that he has been in since childhood. He convincingly plays a grown man that had his social development skills stunted, and trying to make sense of this new world he's been released into. He's somewhat able to come out of his shell around his sister Sara (played by Shannon Lucio) who takes him in and tries to re-adapt him into society. I don't want to give any more away when it comes to story and how it ends, but let's just say it is dark, and dream-like.

Check out the hilarious making-of featurette, the outtakes, and the commentary track.

The guy playing Tanner is largely unknown, but you'll likely recognize the rest of the cast since they have had supporting roles in film and TV (for instance Gregory Itzin, who played President Logan on '24').

Well! This was NOT what I was expecting. I don't know quite what I did expect, I think I read about this on some website which was obviously by someone who thought a whole lot more of the film than I do now, that much is for sure otherwise they would never have tried to persuade anyone of it's credit. It has very little to credit it with. The movie, as you will already know is about a guy who has been in an institution for years since he was a kid. He obviously 'did something terrible' (there, no spoilers here!) and we meet him on the very day he is released.

There is where it ends.

Almost!

You see not a lot more happens for us lonely viewers. We then are expected to sit back and watch each minute detail of someone (and it could be anyone, there is no other plot line going on!) as they wind their way on a journey to god knows where, for god knows why, in an unbelievably long amount of time, with little to no dialogue, dark camera and odd angles but no finesse...

To put it another way, this film really sucks.

If a movie is about a painful subject then that doesn't mean the movie maker has handled the subject well OR, indeed, made a good movie! In this case, delicate subject or not (for the whole movie you are pretty much unaware of what the subject is!) the movie maker failed miserably.

Also, I am never watching a movie again without at least a look at a trailer if this is what I end up wasting my afternoon with!

Arrgghh!

This film was weird. Didn't really know what to expect but it certainly gave an insight into how scary, unfair and unexplainable life can be. It is a serious film but heart-warming in places. Mental illnesses and conditions are the hardest to overcome and this film illustrates this down to a tee. Anyone who knows someone who suffers has the best chance of understanding. It is not a film for people who like mindless Hollywood entertainment, but will catch the hearts of anyone with any sort of sentimentality. Imaginative and quite realistic dream visions in a surreal kind of way. Recommend to folk who don't mind a depressing but mind-opening story. Don't recommend to less open-minded folk. Hope this helps your decision.