AUTISM IN THE MOVIES
(05/04/2004)

by Unknown

Living With Autism
By Melissa BEE July 2000

Part I : Autism on Film.

The history of autism on film is fairly sketchy. As far as I understand there is no film analysis of how autism is presented. This article is my attempt to do that.

How autism is seen in the media and on film is very important in how the autistic population as a whole is viewed, understood and treated by lay persons and professionals alike.

The first references to autism appear in a 1969 USA Presley vehicle "A Change of Habit", where an unconvincing Dr. Presley ministers to a questionably autistic child, aided by nun Mary Tyler Moore in a substandard drama. Another film made the same year in the UK unfortunately seemed to set the trend for autistic related films for the next thirty years. The film portrays a mute child who becomes 'cured' or 'saved' by old man, a young girl and a falcon. The child is seen cured at the end because he talks to the horse. Also called "The White Colt" it gives the impression that autism can be 'fixed' or made to disappear in some way as if by magic, or by a white pony. This nonsense seemed to become a universally held belief as film after film for the next thirty years portray autistics as abnormal, aliens, freaks or the sole focus of the film is to save or cure the child.

Of the fifty films released, only nine deal with adults with autism or autistic like behaviour. In every case these adults are seen as mentally defective, abnormal or freaks, rejected by their families, sent away as children to institutions of some kind and with an obvious lack of care, love and respect afforded normal human beings. In each case it is up to the individual to fight for independence and establish some form of normal existence and acceptance from everyone around them.

In some movies the story line is manipulated to portray the 'happily ever after', - the curing or saving of the individual, so they become normal and thereby accepted by society. But in two films the autistic person dies, one by hanging themself in a prison cell [Criminal, 1995] and the other almost of a broken heart after being institutionalised against his will. After his death his mother celebrates by shouting "I'm Free!" [Family Pictures, 1993]

The general population unaffected by autism had never heard of the condition until a 1988 film "Rainman". The larger than life lead character, Raymond Babbitt, was created by Bernard Rimland [founder of the Autism Research Institute in San Diego, whose own son is autistic] and played brilliantly by Dustin Hoffman. Raymond sadly became a model for non understanding people to base their knowledge of autism on. How many autistic adults have cringed when told "But you're not like Rainman!"

Raymond was manipulated by his brother [Cruise] with no thought for his needs or his welfare, misunderstood and rejected as unwanted until Raymond's savant abilities become a way for Cruise to save his own hide. This, sadly is a reflection of real life, in that the autistic person is either abused or used. Even Bernard Rimland in later years remarked that to be believable on the big screen he had to amalgamate all the worst possible features of three people to make Raymond, but people still believe that Raymond reflects what autism really is.

Those characters showing more promise on film [The Other Sister, 1999] brilliance or even remarkable genius [Little Man Tate, 1991] are not credited with having autism [and probably have Aspergers Syndrome; a form of autism that is more higher functioning]. In the 1999 film Molly [described facetiously as Rainman meets Charly] she has an experimental operation which turns her into a genius.

Wholly on film, true and pertinent information is withheld, so the general public is misinformed about the nature of what autism REALLY IS. So in the mind of society a myth of autism equals someone who is severely disabled, stupid, helpless and mentally defective has emerged.

Almost all films depict anyone with autism as a child. Usually a boy child. 45 of the 50 films are male oriented. In "House of Cards" [1993] and "The Innocent" [1994] the autism is triggered by an emotional trauma, and miraculously goes away when the child is made to face that trauma. It appears to propagate a misguided belief [The Boy who could Fly, 1986] that the autism magically disappears, so by adulthood it is no longer any problem. Except in the case of Raymond Babbit and Molly, who was subjected to a medical experiment to cure her, no other autistic makes it to adulthood, and no film has EVER shown a functional autistic adult! Those films who do show an adult, only two of the nine acknowledge the person has autism [Rainman, 1988 and Molly, 1999].

Autism has been very poorly portrayed both in the cinema and in documentary feature type movies whether based on fact, fiction or a mixture of both which is now termed 'faction'. Books of this type are published in the hundreds each year, but cinematography does not reflect this.

Celluloid autism is either seen as a grandiose and puzzling childhood mental illness where the child is very disturbed, totally uncommunicative or violent and the child's problems are depicted as monstrous and bizarre and he [rarely she] is a liability to all of those around him, except those who wish to use him solely for their own gain [gilds Cry, 1986; Rainman, 1988; The Innocent, 1994 and Criminal, 1995].

At no time has a child or adult with autism ever been portrayed as an able, independent and functional [even partially] human being at odds with the world. Instead s/he is always painted as a freak. Those who help them or struggle to break through the barriers to make emotional contact and to love an autistic person is applauded as 'brave' or heroic, but no autistic person [aside from Temple Grandin] is ever given any credit for achieving anything of their own accord.

Autism is a life long condition that cannot be cured or made to go away. In the same manner that Diabetes can be controlled, so too do autistic adults learn to control the worst features of their autism. Some folk are more fortunate and more highly functioning than others, and better able to adapt to a hostile and alien world.

In many cases autism is accompanied by other conditions. I have a saying that "Autism is never alone, autism likes friends". Autistic people often feel rejected by society and desire inclusion and acceptance. This need is more important to Asperger [AS] folk, who are more socially adaptable than those with Kanners Syndrome or early childhood autism who find too much social contact overwhelming. But autism rarely comes alone in an individual. Quite often it brings 'friends' In my case it is endogenous depression. Others may have Attention Deficit Disorder [Little Man Tate, 1991] Cerebral Palsy [Touched By Love, 1980] intellectual disability [Rainman, 1988] or a host of other conditions, all of which interplay WITH autism.

I personally think that the overlap of these conditions and a lack of understanding about autism itself, has film makers confused about autism, and therefore the reason for gross misrepresentation on film to date. I hope that in the not too distant future, movie makers become better educated about autism and that will be reflected on film.

The following is a comprehensive list of the films that portray Autism Spectrum Disorder in some form. Many of these films are very enjoyable and entertaining, but often not a true reflection on what autism is - and can be.

[A] Full length films and made-for-television movies where autism is the main focus or plays a major part of the theme of the film. In some instances the lead character is not identified as having autism, but has been 'recognised' to have clearly distinguishable autistic like behaviours and mannerisms to warrant inclusion. eg: Forrest Gump.

For a full review on the plot and viewer appraisal for any of these films, please send your question/request to melissabee@sexualhealth.com

Plot KEY

A=cured [film centres around the discovery of and 'cure' of the autistic person]

B=saved! [the autistic person is saved from themselves or from abuse/society]

C=freak [autistic person portrayed as a freak]

D=queer [unexplained brilliance/genius]

E=tragedy [emphasis on suffering of others unwittingly caused by the autistic person]

F=token [film contains a token autistic child for no logical purpose]

*Autistic adults identify strongly with these characters.

• A Circle of Children [1977] USA 100min [Tele Movie]Rating=G Plot=A,B
• A Day in the Death of Joe Egg [1971] UK 106min Rating=MA Plot=A,C,E
• Backstreet Dreams [1990][aka Backstreet Strays] USA 96min Rating= Plot=A,E
• Being There* [1979] USA 130min Rating=PG Plot=C
• Boy Who Could Fly,The [1986] USA 114min Rating=PG Plot=B,C
• Boys Next Door,The [1996] USA ?Length [TV Feature]?Rating Plot=C
• Change of Habit [1969] USA 93min Rating=G Plot=F
• Circle of Children,A [1997] USA 100min [TV Feature]Rating=G Plot=A,B,E
• Crazy Jack and the Boy [See Silence]
• Cries from the Heart [See Touch of Truth]
• David's Mother [1994] USA 89min [TV Feature] ?Rating Plot=A,B,E
• Down in the Delta [1998] USA ?Length Rating=PG-13 Plot=F
• Family Pictures [1993] USA 200min [TV Feature]Rating=PG Plot=C,E
• Forrest Gump* [1994] USA 142minUS/136minAUST Rating=PG-13 Plot=C
• House of Cards [1993] USA 109min Rating=PG-13 Plot=A,B
• Innocent,The [1994] USA ?Length [TV Feature]Rating=MA Plot=C
• Journey of the Heart [1997] USA 120 min [TV Feature] Rating=PG Plot=C
• Little Man Tate [1991] USA 99min Rating=PG Plot=C,D
• Little Voice [1998] UK 96min Rating=R Plot=C,D
• Lovey: A Circle of Children, Part Two [1978] USA 100min [Tele Movie]Rating=G Plot=A,B,E
• Mercury Rising [1998] USA 108min Rating=R-18 Plot=C
• Molly [1999] USA 89min Rating=PG-13 Plot=C
• Nell [1994] USA 1994 114min Rating=PG-13 Plot=C
• Other Sister,The [1999] USA 129 min Rating=PG-13 Plot=C
• Perfect Prey [1998] [TV] [AKA When the Bough Breaks II] Rating=R-18 Plot=C
• Pit,The [1981] Canada 97mins Rating=R Plot=C,E
• Rain Man [1988] USA 140min Rating=R Plot=C,B,E
• Relative Fear [1994][aka Child] Canada 94mins Rating=R Plot=C,E
• Run Wild, Run Free [1969][aka The White Colt] UK 100min Rating=G Plot=B
• Silence [1974] USA 88min Rating=G Plot=B
• Silent Fall [1994] USA 1994 100min Rating=R-18 Plot=C
• Son-Rise,A Miracle of Love [1979] USA 96min [TV Feature]Rating=G Plot=A,B
• Spoonface Steinberg [1998] UK ?Length Rating=PG Plot=C
• Teddy [See The Pit]
• To Elvis with Love [See Touched by Love]
• Touch of Truth [1994] USA 90mins [TV Feature]Rating=MA Plot=B,E
• Touched by Love [1980] USA 95mins Rating=G Plot=C,B
• Under the Piano [1995] Canada ?Length [TV Feature]Rating=PG Plot=C,B
• What's Eating Gilbert Grape [1993] USA 117min Rating=PG-13 Plot=C
• When the Bough Breaks [1993] USA 105min Rating=R-18 Plot=C
• When the Bough Breaks II [1998] TV [AKA Perfect Prey] Rating=R-18 Plot=C
• Wizard,The [1989] USA 99min Rating=PG Plot=C

[B] Short Films where Autism is a secondary focus.

• Au Pair [1993] Germany/UK 92min Rating=MA Plot=F
• Brother Carl [1971] Sweden 95min Rating=R Plot=C
• Child's Cry [1986] USA 100 min [Feature]Rating=PG Plot=B
• Criminal [1995] UK 76min Rating=R Plot=C
• Cube [1977] Canada 90min Rating=R Plot=C
• Mimic [1997] USA 105min Rating=R Plot=C
• Nightworld: Lost Souls [1998] USA Rating=R Plot=C
• Possum [1997] New Zealand 15min ?Rating Plot=C
• Silence of Adultery,The [1995]Canada ?Length[TV Feature]Rating=R-18 Plot=F
• Summer [1988] Germany 108min [AKA Sommer] Rating=PG Plot=E

[C] Major Feature Films based on a true story or a biography of a person with autism.

1. Series: From the autobiography by Mary MacCracken:
A Circle of Children [1977] and the sequel;
Lovey: Circle of Children Pt 2 [1978]
Made for BBC Television.

2. Film: Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love [1979] USA 100min. Feature Film.
Rating: P.G.
Director: Glenn Jordan.
Produced by: Filmways / Rothman-Wohl Productions.
Genre: Docudrama - Made for Television.

Originally telecast as an 'NBC Theater' presentation, as part of the network's 1978 'Year of the Child' celebrations.

Cast: Hal Erickson, Michael Adams, Stephen Elliott, James Farentino, Kathryn Harrold, Henry Olek, Erica Yohn.

Description: The true story of Barry and Suzi Kaufman and their autistic three year old son Ruan. The boy is high functioning but erratic, with long periods of hyperactivity followed by lengthy interludes of withdrawal. Predictably, the 'experts' give up, but the Kaufmans don't. They decide to monitor their son 24 hours a day to figure out what makes him tick, to try to find some means of breaking into his nearly impenetrable private world.

3. Film: Touched by Love [1980] USA 95 min. Feature Film
Rating: P.G.
Director: Gus Trikonis
Produced by: Columbia / Columbia / Michael Viner, Peter E. Strauss.
Genre: Docudrama, Drama.

Cast: Hal Erickson, Deborah Raffin, Diane Lane, Michael Learned, John Amos, Christina Raines, Margaret Clu Gulager, Twyla Volkins.

Description: Based on the real Lena Canada's book 'To Elvis With Love', Low-key but emotionally supercharged film with Deborah Raffin portraying Lena Canada, a therapist in charge of handicapped Diane Lane. A wheelchair-bound cerebral palsy victim, with signs of autism. Determined to bring Lane back into the world, Ms. Canada suggests that the girl start a pen-pal relationship with her favorite celebrity - Elvis Presley. Co-starring Michael Learned as Lena's superior, Dr. Bell; also in the cast are sixteen genuine special children from a school in Calgary, Alberta.

4. Temple Grandin: A film has not yet been made of her life, but a documentary type extended interview was shot in 1999 by Tony Attwood to go with another book written by Temple. I believe this will be available on videotape at some time in the future. Temple's website: http://www.grandin.com/

5. Donna Venables [nee Williams]: There has been talk for the last 2 years about a film deal about Donna, in particular a graphic portrayal of her first shocking book 'Nobody Nowhere' Nothing has ever appeared and I do not know the reason why the work stalled. I last heard they were chasing Julia Roberts for the lead. In view of Donnas almost reclusive lifestyle now, she may have withdrawn her support.
Donna's Website: http://www.donnawilliams.net

Other Plot Summaries

Little Man Tate
Directed by Jodie Foster
Stars: Jodie Foster, Dianne Wiest, Adam Hann-Byrd, Harry Connick Jr
[Although it is not stated that Fred is autistic - I recognised MANY of his behaviours in myself. The most poignant was the pain & loneliness he suffered.]
Seven-year-old genius Fred is desperate to fit in with other kids. Recognizing his talents, his mom (and best friend) Dede enrolls him in a school for gifted children, where Fred befriends a teacher who offers him opportunities his mother cannot. Dede must choose between possibly losing her son or compromising his education.

Backstreet Dreams
Stars: Brooke Shields, Sherilyn Fenn, Tony Fields, Burt Young, Anthony Franciosa
Released: 1990
Director: Rupert Hitzig
Length: 104 Minutes
A gangster, with apparent mafia connections, winds up taking care of his autistic son. The child displays many autistic behaviors, such as social withdrawal, does not speak, and rocks. A graduate student decides to help the child as well as help the father leave the mafia.

Change of Habit
Stars: Elvis Presley, Mary Tyler Moore, Jane Elliot, Barbara McNair
Released: 1969
Director: William Graham
Length: 97 Minutes
Elvis plays a physician who runs a medical clinic in a poor neighborhood. Three nuns are sent to assist Elvis in his medical practice. A parent brings her girl to the clinic for an evaluation and treatment. The girl is diagnosed as having autism because she rocks, does not want to be held, and does not respond to sounds. Elvis treats the girl, and she begins to break out of her autism.

House of Cards
Stars: Asha Menina, Kathleen Turner, Tommy Lee Jones, Esther Rolle
Released: 1993
Director: Michael Lessac
Length: 107 Minutes
A bright, young girl withdraws soon after her father is killed by falling off a cliff. She believes that by withdrawing socially and climbing tall structures, she will reunite with her father who she believes is near the moon. She exhibits many autistic characteristics, such as insistence on sameness, good coordination, lack of social interaction, and no language. At the end of the movie, the mother builds a circular tower which is similar to a tower the child built from playing cards. The mother climbs the tower with her daughter, and the girl comes out of her autistic-like state.

Rain Man
Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino
Released: 1988
Director: Barry Levinson
Length: 140 Minutes
A car dealer returns to his boyhood home soon after learning about his father's death. His father left a large sum of money to a benefactor, who he later discovers is left to his autistic brother, Raymond. Raymond was institutionalized soon after his mother's death because of the fear that he might accidentally hurt his younger brother. Raymond has many autistic features, such as perseverations, insistence on sameness, rocking, self-injury, and savant abilities.Throughout the movie, the car dealer gets to know his brother during a cross-country car trip.

Silence (also known as Crazy Jack and The Boy)
Stars: Will Geer, Ellen Geer, Ian Geer, Richard Kelton
Released: 1974
Director: John Korty
Length: 99 Minutes
An autistic child is lost during a camping trip and is befriended by a hermit. The child leaves the hermit's house and is then faced with the dangers of the woods. He is later rescued.

The Boy Who Could Fly
Stars: Jay Underwood, Lucy Deakins, Fred Savage, Colleen Dewhurst, Fred Gwynne, Louise Fletcher
Released: 1986
Director: Nick Castle
Length: 114 Minutes
A teenager with autism is sent to live with his uncle after his parents die in an airplane crash. The teenager exhibits many features of autism such as social withdrawal, no languge, and stereotypic behaviors. A girl who lives in a house next door befriends the teenager. Initially, she becomes his friend, but later she becomes his tutor. After much one-on-one contact, the teenager becomes more aware of other people and starts to show emotions. Because of his uncle's alcohol problem, the teenager is sent to an institution. At the end of the movie, the teenager flew away to avoid being institutionalized.

This article appears in the following topics:

• Disability and Illness: Autism Spectrum Disorders