DVD review has to do with Asperger's

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1. Mozart and The Whale - out on DVD

From: Pat Schissel

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1. Mozart and The Whale - out on DVD

Posted by: " Pat Schissel " pats@... patriciars11577

Date: Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:17 pm ((PST))

Fyi

What a nice review of the DVD released from SONY of Mozart and the Whale,

the movie based on the life of our friend and advisory board member Jerry

Newport (and his wife ). Jerry was in New York recently for a showing

and discussion of the film. A real treat for all who attended.

HYPERLINK

" http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review.php?ID=25584 " http://www.dvdtalk.com/revie\

ws/review.php?ID=25584

Mozart & The Whale HYPERLINK

" http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/studio.php?ID=361 " Sony Pictures // PG-13 //

$24.96 // December 12, 2006

Review by HYPERLINK

" http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/bio.php?ID=196 & reviewID=25584 " Spurlin

| posted December 11, 2006 | HYPERLINK

" http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/feedback.php?ID=196 & reviewID=25584 " E-mail

the Author | HYPERLINK

" http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/post.php?ID=25584 " Start a Discussion

It's hard enough to find that special person in life without coping with a

mental or emotional disorder. Imagine not looking for love at all,

attempting to cope with a disorder that hinders your social abilities, and

having love dropped at your feet. Essentially, that's the setup for Mozart

and the Whale, the low-key inspirational drama directed by Petter Næss.

Since the film was written by Bass, crafter of such emotion-tapping

screenplays as What Dreams May Come, Stepmom, and Rain Man, a touching film

that tugs on the heart is to be expected. As with those previous flicks and

under this great direction, Mozart and the Whale succeeds as a mild,

romantically fused comedic drama that possesses fantastically portrayed

characters and a compellingly honest storyline.

The Film:

Morton (Josh Hartnett), a cab-driver who maintains a support group

for disorder-laden individuals, has what is called Asperger's Syndrome. This

syndrome, related to autistic disorders, affects the ways in which an

individual interacts and communicates with society and other individuals.

However, unlike some other disorders, Asperger's syndrome does not alter the

person's way of speaking. maintains a relatively normal life - with

the exception of losing his job on a relatively frequent basis and having

strong difficulties communicating on the same levels as the people in which

he comes in contact. Sarcasm, literal statements, and overall difficulty

staying focused on conversations and activities consistently remain everyday

problems. His minimal redeeming activities in the day seem to include

spending time with his birds at home and managing his group of friends at

the support group. One day, after he arrives at his group proceeding a

difficult time at his job, peers on the recent sign-up list for the

group and notices a new name: Isabelle (Radha ).

Isabelle, who also has Asperger's syndrome, joins the group a few days later

to a less-than-humble reaction. Since the disorder affects different people

in different ways, it causes her to have even greater difficulties

interacting with new people. Though he has difficulties coming to grips with

it, starts to form a link with Isabelle that primarily stems from

their shared disorder. However, once each of them goes home after connecting

harmoniously each day, their social awareness problems come into play.

Difficulties arise for the two, such as who calls whom, what to do if one of

them is late, and how to cope with non-literal comments. Humorous yet

heartbreaking at the same time, the two fumble between each other, all the

while during this process discovering their similarities - and how their

mutual understanding can help them cope.

Here's where this reviewer was extremely impressed: both Josh Hartnett and

Radha are engaging, funny, and pretty convincing. They parry off of

each other very well and carry the performances with legitimate charisma

throughout the full feature. 's strong, eccentric performance often

overpowers Hartnett's intentionally timid, confused persona; however, with

the way the characters are set up, this dynamic feels deliberate and works

effectively to their benefit.

Mozart and The Whale is a fantastic story about accepting fault in the love

in one's life. While, at times, the pieces fit together a bit easy here and

there, the flow of events still works well as an illustration of a

relationship beginning to interweave. As a comedy, the film has a fair share

of chuckles from both of the leads. 's awkward attempts at normalcy

and Isabelle's reaction to these attempts are humorous, yet at the same time

heartwarming. There's a sense of sincerity and innocence in their connection

that can be extremely charming. Even though the story doesn't have much

middle ground with the pacing (either extremely sweet or extremely

dramatic), Mozart and the Whale has the ability to win over a smile or two

on many faces and pluck on their heart strings at the same time.

The DVD:

Sony has presented Mozart and the Whale in a standard keepcase DVD with

attractive coverart and replicated disc art.

The Video:

Mozart and the Whale is presented in a very clean 1.85:1 anamorphic

presentation. The transfer's colors were very rich and the cinematography

was exceptionally pleasing. Mastered in high definition, the quality of the

picture stands out really well amongst the interesting places and

Isabelle go, such as a zoo garden, a quaint, wine-shaded restaurant, and an

abandoned house with nothing but a chandelier. Overall, the image was very

pleasing and extremely colorful.

The Audio:

Presented in English and French Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks, the film sounds

fairly clean. While I thought the music could have packed a bit more punch,

dialogue was very clean and legible. Since this is a dialogue driven film,

there's not much to work with as far as surrounds go. However, what is

presented served the purpose well. Subtitles are also available in English

and French.

The Extras:

Sadly, the only extras included on this disc are a few previews for other

Sony films and a commentary by writer Bass. Much more would have been

very welcome.

Final Thoughts:

Mozart and the Whale is a charming, well-performed, and enjoyable comedic

drama about two people's ability to cope together with a difficult disorder.

Even though the film revolves around their activities and frustrations with

Asperger's syndrome, it is essentially a heart-warming picture about two

people who identify with each other when the world seems incapable to do so.

Hartnett and 's performances display an extremely charming dose of

humor and innocence that made this reviewer smile. Even though the pieces

seem to fall together a little too effortlessly between the two leads as

they grow to know each other, the path is still enjoyably engaging. Mozart

and the Whale definitely comes Recommended as a well-acted piece that

illustrates how everyone doesn't mold into the world perfectly - and how it

isn't absolutely necessary to fit if the right person fits with you.

Pat

R. Schissel, President

AHA/ Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association

phone

fax

PatS@...

HYPERLINK " http://www.ahany.org/ " www.ahaNY.org

P.O. Box 916

Bethpage, NY 11714-0916

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