Ezra (2024)

“Ezra” stars Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson, Tony Goldwyn, William Fitzgerald, and Robert De Niro. Releasing on May 31, 2024, the film has a stand-up comedian embarking on a road trip with his autistic son.

The film is directed by Tony Goldwyn, who also directed “A Walk on the Moon”, “Someone Like You”, “The Last Kiss”, and “Conviction”. A parent's love for their child is filled with charm and sentimentality, especially when helping the child prepare for the future. While their love is not without its challenges depending on the child's limitations, it's undeniable how it can positively shape them if they hold onto hope. This is proven in the latest drama by actor/filmmaker Tony Goldwyn, which hopes to deliver another heartfelt option for audiences to endure amid the summer’s group of high-budget blockbusters. Considering that the last weekend of May is more of a break between blockbusters, it doesn’t hurt to give one of these small-scale options a shot, including one that premiered at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. With that said, let’s see if this family drama has enough goodwill to stand out above the blockbuster crowd.  

The story centers on Max Brandel (Cannavale), a stand-up comedian who’s down on his luck following his divorce from his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne). Now living with his father Stan (De Niro), Max struggles to co-parent his son Ezra (Fitzgerald), who’s diagnosed with autism. After several incidents involving Ezra, his parents face the difficult decision to send him to a special needs school. As a result, Max takes Ezra on a cross-country road trip to Los Angeles when Max is offered to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

I’ve only heard about this movie from the trailer I watched in front of "Arthur the King" in March. It seemed like another smaller feel-good film aimed at an adult audience I would either watch or not, depending on the mood. However, when I saw that the film involved a child on the spectrum, I immediately became convinced that it would be on my list of movies to see this summer. As someone who’s also on the spectrum, I’m delighted that we’re seeing more of the representation of this disability, especially in cinematic form. But, of course, another reason for my interest is the cast. Seriously, this is the second film I’ve watched with a recognizable list of actors on board. I think “IF” has some competition on its shoulders. However, even with its representation and big names attached, the film must follow the proper narrative beats to honor its concept, especially with its mixture of tender-hearted drama and dialogue-driven comedy.

This is also another movie that I was able to watch early due to the third “mystery movie” event I attended. Don’t worry. You'll see more of that in the next few months. I’ve watched two “mystery movies” that left me feeling glad I went to these events with a packed audience. It always reminds me of the pre-pandemic days when people could just enjoy the theatrical experience together instead of being distracted by someone texting on their phones. After seeing “Ezra”, I’m glad to say there are now three “mystery movies” I enjoyed watching. While I wouldn’t say it’s the best film I’ve seen this year, I can at least say it’s another movie that left me feeling warm inside. With just enough heart to coincide with its effective laughs, the movie is a solid piece of simplistic filmmaking that’s thoughtful and relatable.

Part of that is due to Tony Goldwyn's direction. “Ezra” was Goldwyn’s first directorial project in thirteen years following “Conviction” in 2010 and my first exposure to him as a director, as I hadn’t seen any of his previous movies before this one. On the acting side, I mostly knew Goldwyn as the voice of Tarzan from the Disney movie, which I found pretty impressive. Having to go from voicing a man raised by apes in a Disney cartoon to directing a film about autism is something I didn’t expect to be on my bucket list, but here we are. So, how did he handle this concept regarding his vision? Honestly, I thought he handled it pretty well. While some emotional moments could have had more impact, Goldwyn's directorial skills aptly capture the film's warm-hearted tone, striking a balance that's neither too sentimental, too serious, nor too risqué given its adult rating. The film hits the sweet spot, realistically portraying the challenges of raising kids on the spectrum in a lighthearted manner. Goldwyn may not be a perfect filmmaker, but he is one of the filmmakers who are adept at creating straightforward, feel-good films.

The film is revealed to be inspired by screenwriter Tony Spiridakis and his experience raising his autistic son. More importantly, he’s shown as a strong advocate for autism awareness, which I respect. I’m unsure if the road trip in the film is part of that experience, but I’m also unwilling to dig too deep into his personal life for the sake of this review. This is proven in Spiridakis’s script, which authentically depicts the child’s spectrum, the limitations caused by it, and people’s different perspectives on how that child should be raised. I should know because I was on that familiar path myself when I was young, so this film definitely hits me on a personal level regarding its portrayal of autism. It periodically felt weighed down by the script’s traditional narrative beats, including its ending. However, what kept it going was its tender-hearted representation of the spectrum and its depiction of parenthood, with Max learning what it means to be a father to his son.

As I mentioned, “Ezra” has a list of big names you might be familiar with, such as Bobby Cannavale, Whoopi Goldberg, and even Robert De Niro. The latter must have felt really good about the number of paychecks he's getting recently. Unsurprisingly, they all turned in some solid performances throughout the film. Bobby Cannavale is another actor who can bring out the talent if the project is suitable for him, and so far, I’ve been enjoying some of his works showcasing his compelling acting skills. I’m happy to say that “Ezra” is another movie that’s right for Cannavale, whose performance as Max is genuinely sincere and irresistibly charismatic. I would even say it’s one of the more effective performances of his career, not because he can do comedy well but because of his dramatic chops that don’t overshadow his comical appeal. Rose Byrne also did very well with her dramatic turn as Jenna and Robert De Niro…well, he’s Robert De Niro. Of course, his presence would offer the same impact as the rest of the cast. I would also like to acknowledge the young William Fitzgerald for his attention-grabbing and heartwarming performance as Ezra. It's even more remarkable that Fitzgerald is on the autism spectrum, adding a realistic flair to the film’s story and character dynamics. It's great to see Hollywood moving in the right direction when it comes to representation.

Overall, “Ezra” is a basic yet heartwarming road trip that’s as sympathetic and charming as the title character himself. While some of its story beats may not be as emotional or surprising as others, it’s another film showcasing there’s nothing wrong with having a simplistic narrative. That is, as long as the quality and storytelling align with the messages. The movie accomplished this task with a straightforward but suitably directed depiction of a father/son relationship full of laughs and even some awes, too, due to its solid cast, decent script, and authentic representation of the spectrum. It’s also a movie that resonates with me personally because it reflects my journey and the influence of my parents in shaping me to be the best autistic individual I can be. I hope we get more movies like this in the future to highlight the significance of autism, not only in its portrayal but also in raising awareness about it.

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