The film opens with definitions of autism and of love that seem utterly at odds. Then the title 'Autism in Love' appears between them, an attempt to bridge seemingly irreconcilable forces.
I had the pleasure of seeing Matt Fuller's excellent film through a PBS 'Indie Lens Pop-Up' screening here in our little community. It sparked enthusiastic conversation from people in the crowd. The film successfully bridged education, inspiration, and entertainment. It let us into the lives of a surprising variety of people on the autism spectrum, giving us an intimate sense of their struggles and their triumphs.
I really appreciated the diversity of ages and life stories of the three main sets of characters. There's Lenny, a troubled young man who confronts the challenges of finding love with adolescent fire. Then there are Lindsey and Dave, a couple in their 30s bravely grappling with what might be a sustainable romantic relationship--if they can live with the extra set of challenges autism brings to the eternal dance of male versus female energy. And finally Stephen, who faces a later chapter in his life than the other characters, has found the love of his life ... only to confront her terminal illness.
Through each set of characters we see a unique human story: different steps on different paths toward love. But woven together, their stories provide a wonderful lens into the universal challenge of finding and sustaining love. Viewers must watch carefully but they will be rewarded with evidence that all of these characters, against the obstacles of their autism, are able to feel, live, long, and love like anyone else on this planet.
Fuller does a nice job of capturing and sharing the story with well-crafted camera-work and editing. One quiet scene that sticks in my mind is Lindsey, gliding alone up an escalator while a crowd of presumably "neurotypical" people make their way down a broken escalator in the background. That's an example of the rewards of watching this film closely for its subtle, elegant moments.
