Ezra

Ezra
Starring Bobby Cannavale, Robert De Niro, Rose Byrne, William Fitzgerald
Directed by Tony Goldwyn

The term "autism" was coined by psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1908, who used it to describe a schizophrenic patient who had withdrawn into his own world. The Greek word "autos" meant self, and Bleuler used it to mean morbid self-admiration and withdrawal within self. I've never had a child with autism, but I have friends that do, and I give them all the credit in the world. It's not an easy thing, and what I can appreciate about autistic people is, like Max says in the film, that they have no filter. They'll tell it like it is, when most of us tiptoe around the truth or use colorful language to get the point across. "Ezra" is a film that seems like a true story, because its resonance hits close to home for parents living with an autistic child and the unique trials - and even more unique successes -  they contain. It's a heartwarming tale that sometimes comes off as too cliche and nonsensical, with a morally grey focus that can be seen as either a father showing his steadfast love for his son, or a dysfunctional father ruining both his life and his son's life as well.

Max Brandel (Bobby Cannavale) is a successful comedian with an autistic son named Ezra (William Fitzgerald) whom he claims is his superhero. His ex Jenna (Rose Byrne) takes care of Ezra most of the time, and when the principal of his public school expels him for inciting a riot in class, Max refuses to accept that Ezra must take anti-psychotic meds and go to a special school. He abducts his son to the chagrin of Max's own father Stan (Robert De Niro) and takes him on a cross country road trip to California so he can appear on The Jimmy Kimmel show, and along the way the two connect, come to blows, and learn that family is the most important thing.

"Ezra" really excels at its storytelling, and William Fitzgerald is an absolute treasure. He illuminates the screen with his infectious personality, and is obviously the heart and soul of the film, delivering a thought-provoking performance that'll make people think of autistic kids differently. The film is a coming-of-age tale of sorts, as Max and Ezra's road trip teaches both about love, acceptance, and understanding as well as providing deep insight into the world of autistic kids and their parents, and the unique struggles they go through.

While the story is heartwarming, it's also a bit baffling when you think about it. Max absconds with his son, leading his ex Jenna to unintentionally issue an Amber Alert for the child (she doesn't want it to happen, but the CPS professionals demand it) which goes nationwide, so the idea that Max is driving to Los Angeles to be on "The Jimmy Kimmel Show" doesn't make sense because as soon as he steps foot on the stage he'll be arrested. It's a point of contention I have with the film that I couldn't shake, because of its sheer nonsensical nature. Maybe that's how Max operates, but it seems like the stupidest thing he could've done.

The film tries to hit the emotional moments in an almost exploitative sense, demanding you to cry or you have no soul, and in that sense I guess I have no soul - but although I didn't shed a tear, I could resonate with the message the film sometimes heavy-handedly delivers. While Max might not be the perfect father, in his own warped mind he's doing the best for his son, even if it's more detrimental than helpful.

Bobby Cannavale plays Max with an equally frustrating lack of sensibility, as he thinks what he does is best, even when it's not. He thinks he's the smartest person, the most resourceful, and taking from a famous figure in politics, "only he can solve it." This makes his actions all the more stupid, and maybe I'm being too harsh on his character, but I found him to be insufferable and someone I wouldn't want as a father, in all honesty.

Rose Byrne and Robert De Niro round out this trio and they themselves have some stellar moments, such as their trek across the country to find Max and Ezra before the police do, and we get a deeper sense into why Max is the way he is with De Niro's stone-cold performance. He's a no-nonsense man, and it really shows in Max's actions, which in turn shows in Ezra's actions as well. Deep down there's a familial curse story waiting to be told. Byrne has less to work with, playing the stereotypical toting mother who will stop at nothing to find her son, but she has some personally emotional beats with Ezra, such as when she rubs his earlobe to calm him down, and he does the same to her.

The strengths of the film lies with the journey Max takes Ezra on, making two stops along the way to visit old friends played by Rainn Wilson and Vera Farmiga that gives the film moments to pause and breathe, allowing us to get a deeper perspective into Ezra's thought processes, and Max's as well. If only it wasn't bookended by a lamebrain scheme that doesn't make a lick of sense.

The Score: B+