Universal Signs

I enjoyed this movie because it was unique.

It makes you wonder how it would be to not be a part of a majority group. I think one of the biggest causes for misunderstanding in the world is the inability to communicate with each other. If we cannot communicate well with people who speak the same language as us, how are we supposed to communicate with someone of a different language? This movie brings light to this all. It really made me ponder the following. How awesome would it be if every individual could be open to the differences of others? What if we didn't just walk by someone because we felt uncomfortable talking to them? What if we took the time to understand different cultures? What if we were accepting that not everyone takes the time to understand our culture, so we should be thankful that they are trying to understand?

I think if anything, this movie is a wonderful start to opening people's eyes to wanting to learn about and spend time with another culture and not letting language be a barrier.

Universal Signs is groundbreaking and thought-provoking, beautiful and touching, hopeful and inspiring. The audience response was exciting and interesting. (Loved the question/answer session afterward!) We were mesmerized. At times we were so drawn into the film that we thought the actors were audibly speaking rather than signing. Director Ann Calamia and the cinematographer captured the emotions beautifully. We feel like we can understand a little more what it must be like to be deaf. We would love the opportunity to see Universal Signs again to be able to delve into all the symbolism it contains. Hopefully, it will be in theaters soon for all to appreciate!

I love when hearing people are mainstreamed into the deaf world. Watching an entire movie of people signing was an amazing experience. It's just about impossible to find movies in ASL. I've tried to find ASL presentations of fairy tales for children, but have only gotten Deaf storytellers relating the story as if they were reading a book. (Has anyone figured out yet that Deaf toddlers can't read captions on cartoons?)

I can't disagree with Mr. McGonigle's points on plot weakness. However, I've often heard film critics refer to a movie as "important." IMNSHO, there aren't a whole lot of "important" movies. This is one of them. Breaking the language barrier for an under-served group is a marvelous event. There are live plays performed in ASL, but they're not as accessible as a movie. If you don't live nearby or can't afford it, you miss out.

I hope to see many more ASL films available in the near future. Plot quality is sure to improve.

I really enjoyed the story and the film. It was very rich, complex and filled with layers (much like a painting). I really felt like I was part of the journey, and it just reminded me about how real life can be sometimes. The film captured so many of life's subtleties. The cinematography was also very engaging. I was touched by so many different emotions. I saw the film with my mom, and she thought that at one point there was sound during the rain storm. I can't remember if there was sound or if the image of rain and all of the connections actually allowed her to "hear" it even if it was silent. What happened to Andrew could happen to anyone. We all go through life for the first time and things happen that we can't ever explain. How do we go on? How do we have the courage to open our hearts again and again when opening our hearts to others can be so scary? The film really made me think and ask myself a lot of questions. It really opened my mind in so many ways. I was so happy to share that with my mom.

I had the pleasure of seeing this film at it's world premiere at the Keswick theater in Glenside, PA and it was well worth it. The movie itself was entertaining and captivating. The story line was good and I appreciate that it was different and didn't run as a typical movie might have. Of course that's why I like independent movies. The only sound in this film is a musical score. The rest of the movie is in subtitles for those of us who do not know the sign language that is used by the actors. I'm proud that this movie was filmed so close to home in Pennsylvania. Anthony Natale is a terrific actor. See this film! The only thing I might have liked better was the pacing of the movie. Other than that I enjoyed it.