Mozart and the Whale
 Dixon Bawls  rates it:    Community rates it: (no ratings yet)
   185 of 386 readers found this review helpful.

In a time when the romantic comedy has become so formulated and predictable, chock full of cookie cutter roles and just plain horse shit, there comes a movie that will scoop the steaming pile out of our laps. The savior is here to save us from HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS and MUSIC AND LYRICS. That savior is MOZART AND THE WHALE, and I am sad to say it went straight to DVD and most people prone to pick up a rom-com at the video store are going to pass this up. After reading the back cover most saps will put it back and miss out on a good film with good writing and acting.

Reasons people will put it back: The story is about a boy (Josh Hartnett) with Asperger’s Syndrome who is lonely and runs a support group for people with similar social dysfunctions. In my opinion you could have had a great story just stopping here, but it just keeps on shining. Reason 2: the girl (Radha Mitchell) also has Asperger’s and is trying to find people who can understand her without taking advantage of her.

Reasons to watch: I can tell you the reasons to watch are far more abundant then the reasons to not pick this up. To start, the story is fresh and never has any “formulated-by-Hollywood” feel to it. The acting was spot on for the roles they are playing and the supporting cast was great, lending the laughs when needed. The plot never got tiring and every time I thought I knew what was coming, the story took a turn. The ending was the only thing this movie has in common with its ilk, but the ride to get there was enough to make it worth it. This movie was a non stop peek into how people suffering with Autism function in life and society with raw emotions and real situations. This movie pulled no punches showing you how hard and frustrating it is to have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. It was also a great way to tell a love story without making you puke or throat kick Drew Barrymore (she did have her hand in DONNIE DARKO, so I still love her).

The name of the movie is a reference to the Halloween costumes that the pair wears and makes the best scenes in the movie. If I ever see a whale costume like the one Josh Hartnett has, it will be the dawning of a new era, one that includes me never taking it off. The other highlights of the film are when you get to see them struggling with their problems of day to day life. Good film with solid performances from some of the hottest stars right now. Again, it is a shame most people will never uncover this gem. If it were up to me this should be the movie Hollywood pushes down our chocolate engorged throats during Valentines season, but it’s not, so I just hope people read this review and give it a shot. Super high 4 out of 5 cans and I would recommend it for a date night movie (it just might get you laid or at least a hand down the pants while she cries).

Added:  Saturday, April 14, 2007
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