I liked the description but it really disappointed me. It could've been much better. The characters didn't feel human, they were just stereotypes and caricatures, and there was little character development.
How tf did they all know the guy in the cool shirt was gay? That's it? If you look pretty and have fine taste in shirts, then you're gay? Very dismissive, they simplified a complex experience until it became ridiculous.
Very poor depiction of autism (the "special needs" implied). Autistics wouldn't run around hugging everyone randomly, giving their toys and sweets to strangers, and smiling and staring at random people. That's a magic elf they had in mind. They really dehumanised the kid and his actual real sensory needs which would've been overstimulated in that noisy crowded environment.
All the random flirting - so unnecessary and CRINGE. Do people ever talk like that? Why the innuendos? Why can't they be friends first? I don't understand why the artsy chick kept talking to that arsehole. Why is she so interested in a random guy who isn't even nice to her? Why is she committed to getting to know him? Why on earth would he think it's a good idea to kiss her after bullying her? Have the writers met any real women and asked them if they would like anything like that? It's not romantic, it's cringe and repulsive, and the guy is toxic.
I could go on like this for all characters, but I'll just ask who thought Cotimanis walking around eavesdropping and dishing out unsolicited advice was a good idea? And the grand speech at the end? Dramatic, but empty. Didn't feel anything throughout the whole movie.
A few good things about it:
Laughed my ass off with my best friend at all the corny or cringey lines, so for us this was quite the comedy.
I'm glad we all agreed the corporate guy was nasty (instant cringe).
I appreciate the positive message and hope it somehow gets through, and also hope that the writer(s) can create some more realistic and complex characters, situations and dialogues next time.
