Ezra

I'm a fan of sweet, simple stories with memorable characters and I found all of that in Ezra. Bobby Cannavale turns in a magnificent performance in the role of Max, a struggling standup comic co-parenting his autistic 11-year-old son Ezra with his ex-wife Jenna played by the always fabulous Rose Byrne. When Ezra's outbursts spin out of control at school, a doctor suggests putting him on a special medication. Jenna is receptive to the idea, but Max is having none of it and flees with Ezra, taking him on a cross-country road trip with hopes of appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. It's a trip that proves life-changing for both Max and Ezra.

He's read the New York Times since he was 5 and can eat only with plastic silverware. That's Ezra, the film is Ezra, and Ezra is autistic. This new melodrama from Hollywood, directed by Tony Goldwyn, is a tearjerker in its best form: so likeable is dad, Max (Bobby Cannavale in his career high), so fetchingly gruff his grandpa (Robert De Niro), so loveable Ezra (William A. Fitzgerald) that you root for them from the first frame to the last.

Max doesn't want Ezra to be put in a special school, so in his usually off-kilter way, he kidnaps Ezra to take him to California away from the cold-hearted child services and to appear as a comedian on the Jimmy Kimmel show. Despite the challenge of an Amber Alert, the fugitives manage to make the odyssey with grandpa's help and that of the endearing mother (Rose Byrne), divorced from Max but loving both Ezra and him. That she accepts the authorities' decision to drug Ezra and place him in a special school stretches credibility given the questionable authorities.

Although some of these situations seem like setups for pulling at the heart, the film peppers each with a reality that proclaims how we could easily be in the same situation. Max often acts like a child, while the child acts like an adult. When Max attacks the principal, the script seems unreal.

However, the film successfully shows not only the rough side, but also the charming side of autism, much as Rainman did. In other words, humanity outweighs film formula.

Life constantly gives Max chances while he tends to blow the opportunities. While being a stand-up comedian who earns a gig on Kimmel, he has some of the worst jokes ever, such as finding his inner child who happens to have a gun.

One of the memorable segments is De Niro showing his considerable chops when he apologizes to Max for being an emotionally distant father. It's the old Travis first-rate acting even when it feels like writer Tony Spiridakis is forcing the moment and its emotion.

The movie Ezra is a stellar summer outing with excellent acting and caution about being a parent and bringing up an autistic child. The imperfections are negligible when you consider its strengths.

Well done, well scripted movie that tugs at the heart strings. The IMDB current synopsis (09/09) is totally off. In a cast of heavy hitters, the novice kid playing Ezra steals the show. The script is inspired by a true story, sometimes poignant, sometimes heavy handed, with well timed and well delivered levity. Casting was great with a few surprises, including Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who played smaller but important roles to the story. Tony Goldwyn directed and was in the movie, which was written by his life long friend. It's the story of an autistic child, family struggle, divorced parents, understanding the past, vulnerability and a bit of redemption along the way.

It must be challenging to tell a fictional story about a boy with autism and make it authentic. Director Tony Goldwyn and writer Tony Spiridakis (who drew on his own experience as a parent of a child with autism) have done that with Ezra. Max (Bobby Cannavale) is a standup comedian who struggles to raise his autistic son, Ezra (William A. Fitzgerald). Max has very different views with his ex-wife, Jenna (Rose Byrne), on parenting Ezra. Additionally, Max and his father (played by Robert De Niro) have a tense relationship. And when Ezra is placed in a "special" school, Max illegally takes Ezra on a road trip on his way to an audition for a comedy gig. And, of course, a great deal of drama ensues.

The family dynamics, the challenge of parenting a child with autism, and the demands of personal growth are explored with sensitivity and compassion. Many people have praised Ezra as an accurate portrayal of autism. The performance by the young Fitzgerald in his acting debut is stunningly good. Cannavale and De Niro are also excellent in their roles. It's great to see De Niro in one of his best performances for some time. And Rose Byrne does a good job as Ezra's mother, although her character does seem to be underutilised.

Goldwyn's direction balances emotional depth with personal story telling, but sometimes, some of the plot seems to be a bit extraneous to the central story. And the narrative occasionally ventures into cliche. But, overall, it's a warm and heartfelt story that moves along at a good pace, although the final act of the film does feel a bit drawn out.

There have been other movies similar to Ezra, such as The Peanut Butter Falcon. But what makes this one stand out is its feeling of authenticity. If you're interested in family dramas, and particularly if you are interested in neurodiversity, you will find this a compelling watch. Despite some of its narrative flaws, its sincerity and depth make this one worth checking out.

Sometimes people think I'm a fool for not answering them, but I do respond internally, often with quotes from my favorite books and movies... just like Ezra.

Ezra is a film that beautifully weaves together the story of three generations of autism within a single family. It's brought to life by the masterful direction of Tony Goldwyn, whose talent never fails to impress me, and written by Tony Spiridakis, who is himself a parent of an autistic child.

Tony Goldwyn has assembled an incredible cast. It was heartwarming to see him reunite with Whoopi Goldberg after "Ghost," along with the brilliant Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, and the always-reliable Robert De Niro in supporting roles.

But the true magic of the film lies in the performances of Bobby Cannavale, who proves what a remarkable actor he can be when given the chance, his real-life partner Rose Byrne, and the astonishing William Fitzgerald.

Director Tony Goldwyn insisted on casting an autistic actor to play Ezra, which was no easy feat, as Hollywood tends to shy away from decisions that increase legal liability. The film's co-producer, Alex Plank, is also on the autism spectrum. The goal was not only to make an authentic film but also to create an accessible film set for neurodivergent actors and crew members. Under Plank's guidance, everyone on set participated in autism training sessions throughout the production.

The film's cinematography, handled by Daniel Moder, is a visual treat with its story-driven use of color and camera work.

Unlike the usual (and frankly offensive/misleading) autism-centric films, "Ezra" takes a more accurate path, embracing neurodiversity, and has deepened my respect for Tony Goldwyn. The film avoids the common tropes and stereotypes associated with autism, instead offering a nuanced and authentic portrayal of the challenges and joys of living with autism. It celebrates the unique strengths and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals, while also acknowledging the difficulties they face in a world that often misunderstands and stigmatizes them.

In conclusion, "Ezra" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking film that sheds light on the complexities of autism with sensitivity and compassion. It is a must-see for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and the importance of acceptance and inclusion.