Andrew O’Hehir writes in Salon that films like the newly released “Adam” are dull because they “take their educational function so seriously, that they don’t have any time or energy left to be, you know, movies.”

He labels the film “a subdued, minor-key weeper, utterly conventional and glum, in which an Asperger’s/non-Asperger’s couple teach each other valuable life lessons.”

An excerpt:

Autistic and Asperger’s characters in movies are only beginning to move beyond the “Sidney Poitier phase,” in which members of previously despised or misunderstood minorities are presented as symbols, saints or seers — whose most important function is to provide other, more relatable and “normal” characters with the opportunity for moral and spiritual growth. African-Americans, gays and American Indians have already enjoyed this dubious cinematic-shaman role, which is undeniably superior to old-fashioned bigotry but a long way short of actual equality.

See also:

Marshal Fine, Huffington Post

It would be simple to cynically dismiss Adam as condescendingly feel-good, but that’s a lazy reading of a film that is full of heart and wit. Give it a chance and you’ll find yourself drawn into this character’s life in ways that will both touch and amuse you.

Alonso Duralde, MSNBC

Given the challenges involved in having an intimate relationship with someone who has Asperger’s Syndrome, a love story on that subject certainly has the potential to be both moving and eye-opening. But “Adam” isn’t that story; it’s merely a Very Special Episode of a TV series I never wanted to watch.

Earlier posts start here.

(Fox Searchlight photo)

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am and is filed under Asperger's, autism, entertainment, movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.