Best depictions of Asperger's/autism

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03 Sep 2016, 8:40 pm

What do you consider to be the best depictions of Asperger's/autism in film/tv?

Aside from the typical classics (Mary & Max, Adam), I find that my favorite depictions are Elliot Alderson in Mr. Robot and Alan Turing in The Imitation Game (note that the real Alan Turing was not autistic, but this film's version of him certainly is, and it's very well done).

GreenAsparagus
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05 Sep 2016, 1:02 pm

Saga Norén from Bron/Broen (The Bridge).

There are plenty of autistic (or seemingly so) detectives on TV, but Saga is the first one I've seen that also has sensory issues.

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Amebix
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05 Sep 2016, 4:12 pm

Huh, I'll have to check that out!

One thing I forgot about that does a fantastic job is a Scandinavian indie film called Ben X - I strongly recommend it

Kiki1256
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05 Sep 2016, 4:15 pm

Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory clearly has Asperger's.

GreenAsparagus
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05 Sep 2016, 5:36 pm

Amebix wrote:

Huh, I'll have to check that out!

One thing I forgot about that does a fantastic job is a Scandinavian indie film called Ben X - I strongly recommend it

I've heard of that one but not seen it yet. It's actually from Belgium and spoken in lovely Flemish Dutch.

The HBO movie Temple Grandin is another obvious one to check out. The drawings you see in the movie are the original drawings, not props made for the movie.

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TheAP
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05 Sep 2016, 9:42 pm

Abed from Community

CaptLasik
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06 Sep 2016, 1:39 pm

Disclaimer: not all of these are specifically about autism, but they all feature characters who have the same traits I do, and/or could be autistic:

Film:

Mary & Max
Mozart & the Whale
Temple Grandin
Lars and the Real Girl
Where the Wild Things Are
Lilo & Stitch
Punch-Drunk Love
Tommy Lee Jones' character from The Sunset Limited
Alan from The Hangover
What About Bob?

Television:

Max and Hank from Parenthood
Doc Martin
Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys
Roy Cropper from Coronation Street
Martha Masters from House M.D
Crazy Eyes from Orange is the New Black
Michael Scott from The Office
Eugene from The Walking Dead
Tina from Bob's Burgers

Not TV/film, but Sarah from Telltale's The Walking Dead.

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LookWhoItIs
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06 Sep 2016, 10:26 pm

Steve Buscemi in Ghost World is the most grounded portrayal I've ever seen. He's neither a savant nor a genius. He doesn't have a glamorous job or handsome looks. He's just a regular Aspy. Other autistic characters in movies and TV fall into what I call "Hollywood autism." Sheldon Cooper is the epitome of this.

CaptLasik wrote:

Film:

Mary & Max
Mozart & the Whale
Temple Grandin
Lars and the Real Girl
Where the Wild Things Are
Lilo & Stitch
Punch-Drunk Love
Tommy Lee Jones' character from The Sunset Limited
Alan from The Hangover
What About Bob?

Television:

Max and Hank from Parenthood
Doc Martin
Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys
Roy Cropper from Coronation Street
Martha Masters from House M.D
Crazy Eyes from Orange is the New Black
Michael Scott from The Office
Eugene from The Walking Dead
Tina from Bob's Burgers

Adam Sandler's character in Punch Drunk Love is a good choice. I admit I do relate to Crazy Eyes' mannerisms some. I don't think Michael Scott is on the spectrum, but I do think Dwight Schrute is! I agree on Eugene, though I'm increasingly frustrated with Walking Dead.

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07 Sep 2016, 7:16 am

I think ALL of the main characters (except Penny) from "The Big Bang Theory" have a little Aspie in them----INCLUDING Leonard's mother.

Others, include:

Dr. Martin Ellingham ("Doc Martin")
House ("House, MD")
Archie Bunker ("All in the Family")
Twister ("Lark Rise to Candleford")

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BaalChatzaf
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07 Sep 2016, 8:12 pm

CaptLasik wrote:

Disclaimer: not all of these are specifically about autism, but they all feature characters who have the same traits I do, and/or could be autistic:

Film:

Mary & Max
Mozart & the Whale
Temple Grandin
Lars and the Real Girl
Where the Wild Things Are
Lilo & Stitch
Punch-Drunk Love
Tommy Lee Jones' character from The Sunset Limited
Alan from The Hangover
What About Bob?

The movie "War Games" is rather dated. The scene with the programmer Malvin is a dead on portrayal of AS.

Here it is on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfJJk7i0NTk

Television:

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GreenAsparagus
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10 Sep 2016, 8:46 am

Jane from Jane wants a Boyfriend

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eace85
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20 Sep 2016, 5:34 am

Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds.

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27 Sep 2016, 11:13 am

Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist, he certainly has the traits to be Autistic.

Hyper empathetic.

Has a special interest in Alchemy.

Has trouble keeping his temper at bay when called short,

Brutally blunt about what he wants to say to people (see the end of the second episode of the 2003 anime).

Shuts down emotionally at times (like when he and his girlfriend are kidnapped by a serial killer and Ed loses all sense of reason and nearly kills the dude in a fit of panic induced rage).

Obsessive at times (the entire show's premise).

Struggles with black and white thinking (the Slicer brothers).

Ignores people at times due to his interest in something else.

Uses his pocket watch as a stim toy.

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28 Sep 2016, 9:48 pm

While he was a secondary character, I thought the lead character's brother in the Coen Brother's dark comedy, A Serious Man, was a great example of Asperger's. And this was taking place back in the sixties, before anyone anyone in America had ever heard of Asperger's.

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FragMichNichtWiesMirGeht
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09 Feb 2017, 6:00 am

Jake Davies' performance as Luke Shelton in X+Y. It's extraordinary. He could easily be one of my friends!

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