Keep the Change

Who doesn't have autism? Everyone have some or other issues.. but we all think we are fine. This Movies shows about some on with disability fall in love,, Very much a true story.. can take the heat of your daily schedule,,

This is a special movie that warmed my heart. It also shows the challenges faced by people with special needs and disabilities. I am hoping for a sequel.

Keep the Change (2017) was written and directed by Rachel Israel.

It stars Samantha Elisofon as Sarah and Brandon Polansky as David. This film could be called "Romeo and Juliet," because Sarah and David are star-crossed lovers. Sarah loves David in her way, and David loves Sarah, in his way. The problem is that their ways don't always match.

I was really moved by this movie, because both leads are, indeed, on the autism spectrum. Director Israel took a leap of faith that her actors would come through, and they did. It was wonderful to realize that Elisofon and Polansky didn't just watch people on the spectrum, and then try to act like them. They themselves don't have to fake it, but being on the spectrum doesn't always allow people to demonstrate their skills. Both of them are wonderful actors, and director Israel had the talent to make us appreciate their acting.

We saw this movie at the excellent Dryden Theatre in the George Eastman Museum. It was part of the wonderful Rochester Jewish Film Festive. It will work well on the small screen. Keep the Change has a terrible IMDb rating of 6.3. Did the people who rated the film see the same movie that I saw? Find this movie and watch it. You won't be disappointed.

Other than the loose cinematography, clearly cut-in shots of people saying their lines outside the natural stream of the conversation, and two moments of why didn't they reshoot the scene, this is an interesting and funny rom-com that's a bit of a farcry from what I'm used to.

There were multiple moments in Keep the Change when the audience collectively laughed. There were a few moments when I felt the urge to cover my mouth and silently release my own laughter as to avoid drawing glares from the audience. Yep, it's got some dark jokes. Damn good ones at that.

I may have a problem with the cinematography, but the cameramen really focused on the right things at the right moment. It's the shots that really let me feel like the love interest had autism. Nevermind how she conversed. It was the way she touched. Y'all know what scene I'm talkin' about.

About the ending... it was a happy ending with such a degree of contextual sadness that I felt conflicted as the credits rolled.

I have been watching a lot of Amazon Prime movies, during the quarantine. Many of them are boring, cliche and painful to watch. Fart jokes, poop humor, no class.

This movie is a simple story about 2 vulnerable people finding a supportive and loving partner. And even though one lives with an alcoholic grandmother, and one would seem to be leading a privileged life, they both desperately need each other. I love these kind of movies that explore human nature, and have true emotions.

Some of the movie is politically incorrect, which may offend some, but made it more enjoyable for me.