Ces enfants-là

I saw this film on UK TV this afternoon. It was a rather okay film.

But the final scene had me laughing non-stop.

The story is about a mother's coming to grips with the disappointment of having a child with Down's Syndrome. Heartwrenching stuff.

But, while giving an acceptance speech for "Woman of the Year" she launches into something like the following...

"Having a child with Down's Syndrome is like going to the airport and getting on a flight to Italy. Then, when the plane lands they say 'Welcome to Holland'. Hold on, I booked a flight to Italy NOT Holland... But even though I suffered the disappointment of not being in Italy, I was in Holland. Holland has windmills and wooden shoes." There was no way out after that. There was nothing she could say after that which would recommend Holland over Italy.

It ends with the family deciding to go out for pizza. I wondered if they got a pizza with Edam or Gouda cheese on it.

So, I guess, Holland is the Down's Syndrome of EU countries. Hilarious.

What a refreshing change! Brilliant must see! A beautiful film about a family's struggle with their down syndrome child. Excellent cast of actors really pull on your heart strings. A film about what is still considered a taboo subject - disability. This film has a real message. It portrays the mother has a pioneer for children with disability's taking her child with her to talks and trying to change peoples mindsets. The character of Alex is played brilliantly by a blessed little actor. Although this film is fairly old (80's) the messages and prejudices still ring true today. A little known film with a big message.

While the earlier reviewer is correct in that this made-for-TV movie lacks a certain amount of depth, it is still a very lovely and hopeful look at the problems and rewards of raising a child with Down's Syndrome. The screenplay, written by Emily Perl Kingsley, is a largely autobiographical account of the experiences she and her husband had raising their son. Perhaps the most touching moment of the film is when Tyne Daly, speaking to a group about Down's children, reads Ms. Kingley's seminal "Welcome to Holland" essay.

There were many wonderful performances in the movie, most notably Ms. Daly and Richard Crenna. While this film doesn't dwell on the myriad problems facing those who care for the mentally-impaired, I think it does present the ways in which love and faith can make wonderful things arise out of the most tragic circumstances. And I don't think you can ask more of a movie-of-the week.

I was disappointed to see that the only review of this movie was a poor one. I thought, "Kids Like These" was a great movie. I have a brother with Down's Syndrome and it not only moved me, but inspired me. It was amazing to see the effort Tyne Daly's character(modeled after Emily Pearl Kingsley, writer on Sesame Street) put into teaching and advocating for her son. It was also an important story to tell. Before Emily Pearl Kingsley advocated for her son and others with developmental disabilities to be on Sesame Street, individuals with special needs were not visible on television. This was an enormous step in raising society's consciousness about those with special needs. I saw it in health class and it changed the perceptions of many of my peers in high school. So, I would encourage people to see this movie. It is one of the few movies which feature actors with Down Syndrome & tells a real story (without leaving out the many challenges that come with raising a child with Down Syndrome) and leaves you inspired.

"Kids Like These" could have been a decent film, given the subject matter. But instead it has become a below-average, run-of-the-mill TV-movie of the week, with not much going for it. The acting is stale, the plot predictable and the direction non-existent. For a better movie on the same subject, try the excellent "Le Huitième Jour", a film that really cares about the people with Down-syndrome. In "Kids Like These" they are merely used as an excuse for weepy sentimentality. Pretty appalling. 1/10