I'm talking about the movie, Temple Grandin. Starring Claire Danes as Temple.
NY TIMES says, (click here to go directly to the movie review), "In her autobiography, “Thinking in Pictures: My Life With Autism,” Temple Grandin explains that she values “positive, measurable results more than emotion.” The HBO movie “Temple Grandin” honors its heroine’s priorities, stressing deeds over tearful setbacks and joyous breakthroughs."
My Husband and I rented the movie, Temple Grandin from redbox. Intrigued by it's description and more so, that the movie was about Temple's point of view and how her autism affected her life.
The movie certainly didn't disappoint. We were drawn in from the start of the movie straight through to the end. I couldn't help but feel emotionally tied to Temple. Thinking of my son every minute, realizing that much of what this movie depicts is true to life.
Everyone involved in this film did a wonderful job at demonstrating what I call, "sensory overload". A good example would be in the beginning of the movie, Temple is getting off of a plane. The weather is hot and humid. The plane's engine's still roaring, and Temple's in a different environment than what she is accustom to. As the movie goes on in this scene it shows you how Temple sees the world around her, quickly switching back to how we would see it, and then back again to Temple's point of view as she's processing every single thing that she sees.
This goes on through out the entire movie. I felt closer to Matthew understanding what he goes through on a daily basis. Even though his symptoms and problems aren't exactly the same as those of Temple Grandin, It gave me a good idea of how life is for him. Especially when he becomes overwhelmed by all that is going on around him.
I could try to write here on my blog, explaining and raving about this wonderful movie to all of you, but you truly should just see for yourself. I cannot express enough how much I love this movie and appreciate the story it tells. Claire Danes did an amazing job at portraying Temple. This movie won 7 EMMY AWARDS!!! yes, 7!
That's Temple Grandin on the left with Claire Danes
A little bit about Temple Grandin taken from the website linked above.
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. Now her fascinating life, with all its challenges and successes has been brought to the screen. HBO has produced the full-length film Temple Grandin, which premiered on Saturday, February 6th on HBO. She has been featured on NPR (National Public Radio), major television programs, such as the BBC special "The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow", ABC's Primetime Live, The Today Show, Larry King Live, 48 Hours and 20/20, and has been written about in many national publications, such as Time magazine, People magazine, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, and New York Times.. Among numerous other recognitions by media, Bravo Cable did a half-hour show on her life, and she was featured in the best-selling book, Anthropologist from Mars.
Dr. Grandin didn't talk until she was three and a half years old, communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping, and humming. In 1950, she was diagnosed with autism and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. She tells her story of "groping her way from the far side of darkness" in her book Emergence: Labeled Autistic, a book which stunned the world because, until its publication, most professionals and parents assumed that an autism diagnosis was virtually a death sentence to achievement or productivity in life.
Dr. Grandin has become a prominent author and speaker on the subject of autism because "I have read enough to know that there are still many parents, and yes, professionals too, who believe that 'once autistic, always autistic.' This dictum has meant sad and sorry lives for many children diagnosed, as I was in early life, as autistic. To these people, it is incomprehensible that the characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled. However, I feel strongly that I am living proof that they can" (from Emergence: Labeled Autistic).
Even though she was considered "weird" in her young school years, she eventually found a mentor, who recognized her interests and abilities. Dr. Grandin later developed her talents into a successful career as a livestock-handling equipment designer, one of very few in the world. She has now designed the facilities in which half the cattle are handled in the United States, consulting for firms such as Burger King, McDonald's, Swift, and others.
Dr. Grandin presently works as a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She also speaks around the world on both autism and cattle handling. At every Future Horizons conference on autism, the audience rates her presentation as 10+.
Dr. Grandin's current bestselling book on autism is The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's. She also authored Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships, Animals Make us Human, Animals in Translation, Thinking in Pictures, Emergence: Labeled Autistic and produced several DVDs. All books and DVD's available through Future Horizons.
Temple Grandin's work continues to inspire millions, drawing superlative reviews such as these:
-Dr. Tony Attwood, world renowned expert on autism spectrum disorders
