If based more weightedly on Sandra Bullock's performance in this film, I'd probably give it a 7. When I finally saw this come around on cable, and realized it was the role for which Bullock had won a Raspberry Award for Worst Actress, 2009, I knew there was a not-uncommon failure to appreciate something of unusual genius. With all the attention these days to autism and its high-functioning variants such as Asperger's Syndrome and autistic savants, I am therefore surprised that reviewers didn't recognize this character as written in that vein. At least as much to the point, ACTED in that vein. Acted with a degree of controlled, comic consistency as to merit an Oscar nomination for best actress--that is, if "the Academy" were wont to give much consideration to an often vulgar (and over-long) comedy in the first place. I put this film in the universe occupied by Farrelly brothers films, e.g. "Stuck On You" and Judd Apatow romps (and their multiplying successors)--including its touching sentiments and final moral: let Mary be Mary. (and let Glenn Gould be Glenn Gould. and Temple Grandin ... etc.) For more worthy fictional treatment of high-functioning autistics, I highly recommend Mark Haddon's novel, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," which is written from the perspective of an adolescent boy who has Asperger's, who is preparing for his college entrance exams in math and who comes in for some shocks concerning the adult world that surrounds and faces him.
Review of All About Steve
