An autistic movie I can relate to.

As an autistic film critic, I was able to read between the lines of “Being There,” which had Peter Sellars playing a gardener whose has lived in a mansion all his life and learns things through T.V., before getting out in the world for the first time. We can acknowledge that he may be on the spectrum, and we should respect that he is a whimsical character.

“Ezra” openly explains that NJ comedian Max Brandel (Bobby Cannavale) has an autistic son Ezra (newcomer William Fitzgerald), whose inappropriate behavior gets him expelled and placed in a special needs school. It’s hilarious and honest as it represents the condition in a timely fashion, when the “R” word should never be said and how parents are willing to fight for their kids. I know, because my mother used to fight the school system to give me the help I needed. And plus, she made the right move of pulling me out of a class whose teacher told me to shut up after I made a helpful suggestion.

About Ezra…..

Max refuses to let his son go to that school, believing that regular schools should teach him to fight. When the kid gets injured and Max injures the doctor prescribing his kid medicine, he’s given a 3-month restraining order which prevents him from seeing Ezra.

Breaking the law, he takes him on a cross country trip to L.A. to not only spend time with him, but also his manager (Whoopi Goldberg) informs him that Jimmy Kimmel wants him to guest star on his show.

Cannavale’s wife Rose Byrne plays his ex-wife, who is currently dating a lawyer (Tony Goldwyn, who also directs), while his “Irishman” co-star Robert De Niro plays his tough guy gourmet chef-turned doorman father. And all of them are worried for Ezra’s well-being when Max takes him.

As an autistic film critic, I must say “Ezra” is miles and miles and miles ahead of Sia’s “Music.” It’s far from offensive, because of how Goldwyn did his best to find the right autistic actor to play the kid. I’m not sure if Fitzgerald is autistic, but he does a spectacular job portraying a kid who hates metal silverware and struggles to be flexible when it comes to hugs. And it’s all understandable.

It was also written by Goldwyn’s friend Tony Spiridakis, whose autistic son is the inspiration for this movie. I met these two before the Boulder International Film Festival screening (which earned the film the Best Feature Award), and I gave them my business cards for my website and the podcast station I work for NEWHD Radio, which you know is dedicated to giving career opportunities to people on the autistic spectrum.

But even if I didn’t meet these two talents, “Ezra” is very funny and warmhearted, and I could easily relate to this movie, because of how my mother wouldn’t let anyone belittle me for my condition, as I’ve mentioned above. And it also serves as a personality check for Cannavale and De Niro’s characters. They’re at each other’s faults for their behaviors, and maybe having an autistic son/grandson could help bring out their best and worst qualities.

On par with the likes of Rain Man,” “Life Animated,” “Being There,” and “The Accountant,” “Ezra” is one of the best movies about autism I’ve ever seen. Remember: I’m reading between the lines of “Being There.”