Autism is a medical mystery that continues to confound doctors. And the October release of U.S. government statistics showing an increase in the number of children with an autism spectrum disorder added further uncertainty and fear regarding this condition.
The Horse Boy, directed by Michel Orion Scott, puts a personal face on the statistics, telling the story of two loving parents coping with their son’s autism. Rupert Isaacson, a journalist and the film’s producer and narrator, explains the impact of learning of his 2-year-old son’s condition: “It was like being hit across the face with a baseball bat.”
After getting the grim diagnosis, Rupert and his wife Kristin Neff, a psychology professor, initially treat Rowan with traditional therapies and medications. Unfortunately, they seem to have little positive effect. As Rowan grows older, he becomes more withdrawn and prone to tantrums, and potty training appears out of the question. Like many parents of autistic children, Rupert and Kristin feel helpless and frustrated.
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Then one day, a bit of good luck leads to a discovery: Rowan has a strong emotional connection with horses. Around these animals, he’s calmer, happier and more talkative. Rupert, who has a background in horses and a working knowledge of Eastern medical treatment, gets a crazy idea: Why not make a trip to Mongolia, a country where horses and healing intersect, to see if they can improve Rowan’s health?
The Horse Boy is a frequently fascinating look at a family confronting autism and their own desperation in the face of this ailment. Director Scott captures the highs (Rowan giggling and playing with his parents), the lows (a devastated Rupert wondering if his son is regressing) and the bizarre (Kristin bracing herself as she’s whipped by a local shaman during a healing ritual) of the family’s epic journey with considerable intimacy.
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He also captures the beautiful Mongolian landscapes and wildlife with skill and precision. The Horse Boy is one of the more picturesque documentaries you’ll see, and the footage of reindeer in one of the country’s most remote areas has the exotic feel of something you’d see on the Discovery Channel.
Despite its tidy 90-minute running time, The Horse Boy does drag in spots, and Scott’s decision not to use his crackerjack team of talking-head medical experts to weigh in on the film’s dramatic third-act developments is an unfortunate misstep. Having one or two of these perspectives to complement the parents’ viewpoints of how their trip impacted Rowan’s autistic symptoms would been invaluable.
Nonetheless, Scott does allow enough room for viewers to ponder Rupert and Kristin’s interpretations and come to their own conclusions. And more importantly, The Horse Boy’s message that we must find a way to understand and integrate this enigma into the best of our society provides an inspired message of hope. With the latest CDC study finding one in 100 kids suffering from autism--and uncertain as to the reasons for the uptick--the one thing that is certain is that we must continue to examine this condition in new ways.
Grade: B+
The Horse Boy trailer:
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"The Horse Boy" opens in Atlanta on Nov. 20 at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema.
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