In itself it's an exploitation movie, a boy meets girl with AS as a mix-up. Conceptually it is flawed, but I think it is currently invaluable for its exploration of the ASD spectrum. Whereas Rainman, as a journey of discovery of the other (inducing self-discovery too), had a more compelling structure, MATW manages to present dysfunctional individuals in a positive way, and although I think it is doomed most NT viewers will miss the implications from the first vision, the key message is not that people with ASD may be good beings and decent friends too, but that there really needs to be something more wordly: respect.
Just keep in mind that it's not a film for those who discovered they had AS only after having married, the people are mostly severe cases so not all AS may relate, although there are enough quirks you may find something of you in there.
By the way, here in Italy it was marketed as "Crazy in love". That's offensive!
17 May 2007, 7:34 am
