X+Y

I pre-ordered "X+Y" from the UK, not realizing it was being released in the US (under a different name). This ended up being one of my favorite movies of this year, but I feel like many people will not give it a chance for several reasons, but mainly the subject matter.

"It" is a delicate petal to step around to a lot of people. Nathan is not the epitome of all people on the spectrum, he is unique and also based on a real person (albeit loosely). You don't have to have any kind of "diagnosed condition" to understand the hardships portrayed in the film. His is not the only struggle, just the most emphasized.

I must say that I was impressed with Asa Butterfield's portrayal of Nathan. Not many actors can convey emotions or thoughts without actually saying much of anything. When you feel empathy for a character, you know the actor is doing far more than just saying their memorized lines. That being said, everyone did a pretty good job bringing their characters to life.

This movie came onto my radar because of the talent involved, I didn't really know what to expect, so I blindly went to see it.

From the start this film pulls you in and pull on your heart- strings. Granted, I was jet-lagged when I saw it, which probably explained why I was teary-eyed for much of the film. The movie, is very much a character film. It tackles every aspect of Nathan's life and that of the people around him. The film manages to be a family drama, a coming of age movie with a dash of romance, and a comedy at the same time. It all seamlessly fit together and keep you captivated.

The cast is out of this world. The group of young actors they chose is simply impressive because they are all so natural that it's easy to believe that they are the characters they're portraying. Asa Butterfield is wickedly talented and morphed into Nathan for the duration of the film.

Morgan Matthews' background in documentary film-making has a huge impact on how realistic and natural the film feels. The film really shows a wide spectrum of teenagers, among the socially awkward, quirky, math prodigy children. He conveys a strong message by showcasing these kids as they are and not falling into common stereotypes.

A Brilliant Young Mind is a gem that I would recommend to every one. I LOVED this film, it's touching and amazingly well made.

@Wornoutspines

In my reviews I have observed on more than one occasion that the Brits don't know how to make a bad film. Their challenge is usually in making a great film.

This is a case in point. Technically perfect, with a script so polished it gleams, and acting so sharp that even the secondary roles stay in your head long after the credits roll.

Butterfield's character is a young boy with Autism who, as a result, may or may not be a world class math prodigy. The point of the story however is not whether his character will win a math Olympics but rather if he will ever become a functioning human being.

Butterfield, in a cast of greats, stands out. Has a great career ahead of him, he has mastered the art of delivering dialog with his eyes.

The wonderful Sally Hawkins (Poppy in the unforgettable Happy Go Lucky) does a great job in a difficult role as the mother. Since Butterfield's character as written is constantly ignoring his mother, there is a tendency for the audience to do so as well. Hawkins does not allow this.

It is an excellent film, more a journey than a destination, and therefore not for everyone.

My favourite scene -- the one I will remember for a very long time -- is Butterfield with his (almost) Chinese girlfriend, eating some take-out.

The container is opened and the number of comestibles inside is NOT a prime number. The audience (by that point) has been trained to know this will be a cause of great discomfort for the boy, who likes his meals pre-sorted in prime numbers.

The girl notices his discomfort and he quickly explains the problem to her. With no hesitation she grabs one of the items and wolfs it down happily.

Problem solved! It is a microcosm for the film - start with an impossible boy, add a naturally joyful and spontaneous young woman, and the result is ... serendipity.

Since The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time seems to be staying on the stage rather than hitting the screen, I've been curious as to when UK cinema would dig into the perspective of a kid on the autism spectrum with the same affection. Disregard the dark aspects of Haddon's novel, and X+Y has a wonderful element of bringing someone who's inherently felt like an outsider into a world where they aren't alone with math competitions. It's nice and affectionate, though dips into gooey realms of sentimentality. But despite a few insincere or extraneous moments, it gets away with it due to director Morgan Matthew's earnestness. It's definitely easy to enjoy splendid moments where the photography has a chance to show off. It does tend to romantize far too much, particularly about China and England, but it's fairly balanced though it does have a rushed pace. I'd like to say Asa Butterfield is the highlight, but Rafe Spall steals the show in a gruff sharp performance that channels his dad in a way that makes me look forward to what he's going to do next. It's great to see a little Happy-Go-Lucky reunion with reliable support from Sally Hawkins and Eddie Marson. X+Y may rely on certain clichés, but it has a confident vision when it could've been bland.

7/10

Genres at IMDb is WRONG.. not a comedy.

It is true this movie does have a few touching moment that will make you smile, this does not make it a comedy. The films subjects include the affliction of Autism, coping with illness, coping with lose and living without returned love, self inflicted boundaries and the struggle to overcome dealing with others regardless of your own struggle. The story is about a young boy with autism who faces the difficulties coping with life without the key person he was dependent on. Add to this his autistic ability at math which places him in a scenario where he placed in a new environment. Along with the boy, we also see the difficulties of his mother which must deal his affliction and teachers who must deal with his. Overall, not just about the child. The base of the film is in England and in China with great scenery. Added t this is fin acting and a good plot. Without a spoiler, he finally comes to a change in his life with the help of many who loves him. I found the ending touching.