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I wish for too much I had to watch this movie. Not that there was a gun to my head or anything, but I HAD to watch it. I work with individuals with developmental disabilities. But more than that... I have a sister who has Asperger's. I know that not every autistic person is like Rain Man. I get to see the slight nuances on a regular basis and can see right through the bullsh*t. It's part of the reason why I would never condescend to someone with a disability. I treat them exactly how I would anyone else. That includes blowing them off if they're boring and telling them off if they're rude. No coddling here. Unless it's during the time that I'm being paid to do so and the nosy powers that be think that there needs to be coddling. I meandered. Anyhoo... Let me say right now that they got it right. Mostly. I hate that the characters have to point out that there are different levels of functioning because it isn't something that would have been pointed out by someone afflicted. That part is done for the benefit of the unknowing audience who thinks that every disability is like a cookie cutter and exactly the same. (I'm grateful that there is more representation in TV and the movies, but it also taints the public's perspective that everyone is the same.) Josh Hartnett got it right. Really, really right. The sad part is that most people aren't going to be able to notice this because he's not doing the extreme Leonardo DiCaprio retarded dude. People with Asperger's are pretty much normal except they're a little off. Social skills are poor. They want to be friendly and make friends but find that they don't possess the skills of perception that other people do. They can't tell if a person is bored when they're rambling on about something. Hell, they can hardly manage to look you in the eye. I applaud Harnett for doing something that won't get recognized for being as good as it is. Above everything else, his performance is the reason for you to watch this movie, especially if you know anyone with Asperger's. Rahda Mitchell is inconsistently good as well. And I don't think it's her fault. While the dialog is mostly good, the storyline sucks ass. It's a roller coaster love story, nothing out of the ordinary other than the fact that the two leads both have Asperger's. So, in a continuing effort to not treat anyone differently, let me say... so what? I can appreciate why the movie was made and the point that it was trying to get across, but as a movie, as a story... it's painfully average. There isn't a huge amount of chemistry between the two leads. While there should be a slight bit of disconnection, there shouldn't have been as much as there really was. Mitchell comes off more like a motherly figure to Harnett than a girlfriend. It just doesn't play out quite right. It's an average love story with some unique leads. It might mean even less to someone who has no experience with autistic people, so I can't really recommend it for the general viewing audience. If you really want to be entertained by a "retarded flick," watch I AM SAM instead. email this review to a friend
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