...And Your Name Is Jonah

Made at a time when the handicapped were much less understood this is a fine examination of one child and family's struggle out of misdiagnosis.

Sally Struthers much better known for her comedic work is excellent as the mother lost in a maze of frustration of how to help her deaf child find his place in a hearing world after three years of incorrect institutionalization.

Some of the methods she pursues are arcane but they provide a snapshot of what treatment procedures were at the dawn of the 80's. Both entertaining and informative with many fine performances and a profoundly moving last half hour.

A lot of prejudice involved, scenes that translate the pain of so many people who went through it, unbelievable and abominable ... Poor production, but the quality becomes insignificant given the message it transmits, the history of people with disabilities in the last century, in a period not so so distant, and unfortunately very contemporary ... Beautiful and sad...

This is just a warm, beautiful story that the entire family will enjoy. I saw it originally back in 1979. Sally Struthers is wonderful in it as Jonahs mother. In the beginning Jonah has been misdiagnosed as being mentally retarded. But he is only deaf. His mother and father (James Woods) struggle to make sense of it all. They blame each other and then themselves. Jonah is trapped in a world he does not understand. Only through love and his mothers determination is Jonah helped to understand this crazy world we live in. It makes you feel for the handicapped and understand how they are misunderstood and discriminated against. Grab the tissues for the end as if this one does not make you cry, you have no heart. I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone!

I remember seeing this as a 9 year old kid and to this day the movie hasn't left me. Some of the scenes I remember are when Jonah's Grandpa died working at his produce stand, Jonah taking his brother's Spider man doll and putting him in the oven (he was totally afraid of Spider Man) and Jonah taking a spill on his bike when a car almost hit him. I do remember the deaf man helping out and Jonah giving him the positive reinforcement as he learned more and more sign of the language.

I, too, remember poor Jonah being tied up to the table while Sally Struther's watched helplessly at him. It made my cry then, and just thinking about it now makes my eyes water. Still, it's not to be meant as a depressing movie but a testament of courage and hope. A must have and I hope it gets a DVD release soon.

I saw this movie in the 70's and I was but a child then and remember this movie almost word for word, scene by scene. That is how much this movie truly touched my heart. I am looking for a copy of this movie and ask that anyone with information on where I can find one please e-mail me. I fear this movie has been shelved for life and that would be such a waste. I have an 11 year old son and wish very much for him to view this masterpiece of a movie. I feel a movie like this can teach him a lot in terms of life and how to be thankful for all the haves rather than the have no ts. This movie should be shown in every classroom, in every school around the world.

Sincerely, Maria Horton