Ezra Movie Review - A Life-Changing Father-Son Road Trip On Finding Your Way Through Disorder

Featuring an unpredictable family drama and an emotional road trip down life with Autism, Tony Goldwyn’s latest film stars Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro as three adults with differing views on what’s best for one special boy, Ezra.

Stand-up comedian Max from New Jersey (Cannavale) recounts stories of everyday chaos, particularly focusing on his son, Ezra (William A. Fitzgerald), who has autism. William Fitzgerald, Ezra, is autistic in real life, so his performance in the film was as real as it gets.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave

Precocious and impulsive, Ezra has been reading The New York Times since the age of five, but his unpredictable behavior often leads to trouble and sometimes endangers himself and others. A doctor recommends that Ezra be sent to a special school and be medicated. This is where it turns into a rollercoaster road trip. Max has to do what is best for his son.

They’re all on their way to Los Angeles and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” where Max has been scheduled for an appearance after Jimmy watched a video of Max experiencing a breakdown over Ezra during a performance. The movie appears to be leading to a touching ending, but it’s not what you’d expect. However, the true integrity of “Ezra,” which makes it a sincere film despite some clichéd elements, is its message about supporting children with additional care – there’s no easy solution. It’s about embracing them for who they are and revealing who you are to them.

Tony Spiridakis’s screenplay, enriched by his experience raising neurodivergent sons, creates a masterful and enjoyable movie. As the autistic community says, “when you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person,” a sentiment that resonates with neurotypicals too. This film beautifully illustrates our uniqueness while highlighting our commonalities.

This movie speaks to anyone with empathy, especially parents and grandparents who have faced tough choices. It sheds light on life with autism and the challenges of parenting. Watching Ezra gave me a profound respect for those dealing with this every day. I highly recommend this film for its moving story and educational value—it helps us all become better.

Ezra releases in cinemas this Friday, 31 May 2024.

Review from a pre-screening at United International Pictures South Africa