Entertainment

‘The United States Of Autism’ can’t tackle politics

Any film that tackles autism in a loving and positive way starts with a reservoir of good will. Unfortunately, Richard Everts’ film, in which he crosses the country to talk to 20 families with autistic children, seems amateurish and rushed.

In his determination to show a huge cross section, Everts, whose own son is autistic, has guaranteed that no one segment can have an impact. Individually lovely moments are here, such as the girl who raises money for a cure with her lemonade stand, and the Muslim mother of a son who’s been called a “terrorist” when he melts down in public. But the interviews zip by, with an inordinately huge amount of time devoted to seeing each family greet Everts at their door.

An opening disclosure says “controversial” views will be aired, but “we also censor no one.” What this means in practice is that several parents bring up the discredited and dangerous idea that autism is caused by vaccines. While Everts himself doesn’t endorse that view, if any families are pro-vaccine, they don’t say so on camera.

For a film that has edited down its interviews to mere snippets, the agenda-tilt is problematic.