Mozart and the Whale (2005)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Petter Næss

Writer (WGA):

Ronald Bass (written by)

Release Date:

2 February 2006 (Thailand)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

They don't fit in. Except together.

Plot:

A love story between two savants with Asperger's syndrome, a kind of autism, whose conditions sabotage their budding relationship.

Plot Keywords:

Autism | Aspergers | Asperger's Syndrome | Taxi Driver | Sensory Overload

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Nov. 17	8:00 PM	SHOW
Sun. Nov. 22	6:25 AM	SHOW

Cast

Josh Hartnett	...	Donald Morton
Radha Mitchell	...	Isabelle Sorenson
Gary Cole	...	Wallace
Sheila Kelley	...	Janice
Erica Leerhsen	...	Bronwin
John Carroll Lynch	...	Gregory
Nate Mooney	...	Roger
Rusty Schwimmer	...	Gracie
Robert Wisdom	...	Blume
Allen Evangelista	...	Skeets
Kelly B. Eviston	...	Dr. Trask (as Kelly Eviston)
Jhon Goodwin	...	Rodney
Christa Campbell	...	Therapist
Jeffrey Brandle	...	Ten-year-old Kid
Hollis Higgins	...	Homeless Man

Also Known As:

Crazy in Love (USA) (working title)
Mozart & the Whale (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language and some thematic material.

Runtime:

Netherlands:92 min | Argentina:94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-11 | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Gonzaga University - 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane, Washington, USA

Company:

Big City Pictures

Trivia:

The project was originally planned for Steven Spielberg, but due to his workload it eventually landed in the hands of critically acclaimed Norwegian director Petter Næss. This became his first US production.

Goofs:

Continuity: After coming into his newly cleaned apartment, Donald opens the refrigerator door; he then turns around looking for Isabella. When it comes back to him, the fridge door is suddenly closed.

Quotes:

Donald Morton: I'm late, which is ironic, because I started out 9 hours and 23 minutes early.

Movie Connections:

References Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Soundtrack:

High Ball Sonata

Sunday Afternoon Movie at its best

If you like Rainman or Benny and Joon you will enjoy this film. It is sentimental, moving and has all the usual gushy stuff a love story should have. Nevertheless I enjoyed it. I thought the adaptation of Autism especially Asperger's syndrome was very well done. If you don't expect too much and just sit back and look forward to some light entertainment then you will not be disappointed. As someone who works with adults with autism I am disappointed this has not been released everywhere as it depicts autism in a very different light. I would recommend that everyone at least gives it a go. Probably best described as a "chick flick" and the fact that Josh Hartnell plays the lead probably helps.