Based on a true story, this small-scale 2005 drama is well-intentioned in illuminating the plight of those with a form of autism, Asperger's syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes those who have it to be limited in their abilities to fit in with the larger culture. Their condition is generally marked by narrow but intense interests in few subjects at the exclusion of others, displays of socially inappropriate behavior, and peculiarities in speech and thought patterns. Portraying this type of mental illness on screen is particularly challenging since it requires some distancing from the actors trying hard to stay true to the often alienating medical condition.
Written by Ron Bass, who wrote the similarly themed "Rain Man" back in 1988, and directed by Norwegian filmmaker Petter Næss, this simple film focuses on the burgeoning love story between Donald and Isabelle, two young, attractive people afflicted with Asperger's syndrome. Donald runs a self-help group afflicted with autism, and Isabelle joins the group upon the insistence of her therapist. The bulk of the film deals with their often frustrating attempts to communicate and work toward a more permanent relationship, while at the same time, supporting the needs of the group to curb their affectations and live satisfying lives. If this sounds like the classic trappings of a Lifetime TV-movie, it pretty much reflects that oeuvre with its video camera quality and barebones production values. In fact, except for the clever Halloween set-up which explains the film's title, the plot turns have a fairly predictable flavor, and Næss displays little flair in making the emotional impact more resonant.
Fortunately, the leads do well by their difficult roles, especially when each displays their savant wizardry, Donald's mathematical skills and Isabelle's concurrent artistic and musical gifts. At first, Radha Mitchell seems to be playing a variation of the darker half of "Melinda and Melinda" as Isabelle, but she ultimately manages to convey the troubling soul beneath the façade of her flashy bohemian. As the helplessly reticent Donald, Josh Hartnett is surprisingly affecting most of the time, though there are moments when he gets burdened by his character's mannered passivity. Several familiar faces show up in the supporting cast, including Sheila Kelley and a belligerent John Carroll Lynch as two of the group members and Gary Cole as Donald's patient boss. All do good work, but the movie has such a shapeless, haphazard feel that the inevitable ending feels rushed and truncated. The only significant extra of the 2006 DVD is Bass' thoughtful if overly effusive commentary track.
Written by Ron Bass, who wrote the similarly themed "Rain Man" back in 1988, and directed by Norwegian filmmaker Petter Næss, this simple film focuses on the burgeoning love story between Donald and Isabelle, two young, attractive people afflicted with Asperger's syndrome. Donald runs a self-help group afflicted with autism, and Isabelle joins the group upon the insistence of her therapist. The bulk of the film deals with their often frustrating attempts to communicate and work toward a more permanent relationship, while at the same time, supporting the needs of the group to curb their affectations and live satisfying lives. If this sounds like the classic trappings of a Lifetime TV-movie, it pretty much reflects that oeuvre with its video camera quality and barebones production values. In fact, except for the clever Halloween set-up which explains the film's title, the plot turns have a fairly predictable flavor, and Næss displays little flair in making the emotional impact more resonant.
Fortunately, the leads do well by their difficult roles, especially when each displays their savant wizardry, Donald's mathematical skills and Isabelle's concurrent artistic and musical gifts. At first, Radha Mitchell seems to be playing a variation of the darker half of "Melinda and Melinda" as Isabelle, but she ultimately manages to convey the troubling soul beneath the façade of her flashy bohemian. As the helplessly reticent Donald, Josh Hartnett is surprisingly affecting most of the time, though there are moments when he gets burdened by his character's mannered passivity. Several familiar faces show up in the supporting cast, including Sheila Kelley and a belligerent John Carroll Lynch as two of the group members and Gary Cole as Donald's patient boss. All do good work, but the movie has such a shapeless, haphazard feel that the inevitable ending feels rushed and truncated. The only significant extra of the 2006 DVD is Bass' thoughtful if overly effusive commentary track.