Mozart and the Whale --A Love Story with Aspies

"This film directed by Petter Naess is a fictional story, but it is inspired by the lives of two real people with Asperger's Syndrome.

The opening scene of this film shows Donald working as a cab driver. He also runs a support group for autistic people. The new member of the group is Isabelle and they start to date. Their first date is for Halloween and gives this film its title.

Josh Hartnett portrays Donald and Radha Mitchell portrays Isabelle. They both have eccentricities and habits which cause problems for their relationship.

This film is funny and touching and filled with colorful, unusual characters including Gracie, the woman who behaves in socially inappropriate ways and was portrayed creatively by Rusty Schwimmer.

Some favorite quotes from this film:

"I save things because you never know. You know?"---Donald

"You said your mom died?You did bury her?...just checking."---Isabelle to Donald

"I'll be there in the morning. I live here."---Donald to Isabelle

"Sweetie, you can't disappoint me. Cause whatever you are, is exactly what I want."---Isabelle

"So when you're sick of him, you can date me?"---Gregory to Isabelle

"There are 200 to 300 million sperm cells in an average ejaculation."---Skeets

"Penguins mate only once a year and it lasts three minutes. I think they're extremely sexy. You wanna know why? I'm only gonna tell you, if you wanna know...When penguins are reunited after a long separation, they stand breast to breast. Their heads are thrown back and their little flippers are trembling and they sing, Skeets, because they're so happy to find each other."---Isabelle

"Izzy, they don't have cabs at the University Medical Center."---Donald

"I used to tell Donald that I wanted people to hear my paintings and see my music 'cause I wanted him to understand them like other people couldn't."---Isabelle

"I have put up with an array of shit from you that no one should tolerate, because I thought that you would do the same for me. But you made me feel like a freak! Behave for your boss? I mean, this is coming from who?---Isabelle

"There's one difference between us, Donald. You want to be normal. You crave it. And that is what broke us up."---Isabelle

"I have a list of friends. Some of them are women."--Gracie

"The only nice thing I had left to give was just not to call."---Donald

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here is the trailer:

My Name is Khan---a different kind of romance & odyssey film

This is a film by director Karan Johar about an Indian Muslim man with Asperger's Syndrome. Viewers see his life as an odd child with a mother who tries her best to guide her son. When he has trouble attending a regular school, she finds him a private tutor. One of his special talents is his ability to repair many items.

After his mother dies, Rizvan (played oddly enough by an actor with the same last name as his character -- Shah Rukh Khan)keeps his promise to her to go to America and reunites with his brother Zakir in San Francisco. He starts selling beauty products to salons.

He meets Mandira, a Indian Hindu (played by Kajol) hairdresser in one of the salons. They become friends, get married and live together happily with her son Sameer.

Tragedy strikes shortly after 9/11 happens and many American Muslims suffer repercussions including Rizvan's new family. Rizvan sets out on a solo journey across the country trying to meet the President.

Along the way, he meets many interesting people and has some adventures. In Georgia, he becomes friends with Funny Hair Joel (played by Adrian Kali Turner) and Mama Jenny (played by Jennifer Echols). When he hears that their little town has been flooded by a hurricane, he returns to help them.

This film has multiple spoken languages: English, Hindi, Arabic and Urdu. In some ways, I think it's quite exaggerated, a bit corny sometimes but also touching and funny. As there's some flipping back and forth in time since the character is telling a story, be sure to pay attention so you don't get confused.

Also beware of the violence & racism in this film  This isn't gratuitous like in some films but an important part of the plot.

Some quotes from this film:

"My name is Khan and I'm not a terrorist."---Rizvan

"Oh, I think you recognized me. I am Rita Singh, ex-Miss India."---manager of salon

"You look so old. You must have been Miss India before I was born."---Rizvan

"A salesman and yet you speak the truth."---Mandira

"Mom, stop being filmy now. You're such a drama queen."---Sameer

"Fix Almost Anything"---Rizvan's sign

"...the way of Allah is of love, not of hatred and war."---Rizvan

Conversation:

"Mehnaz Herbal Beauty Products will make you glow like a newly-wed bride."---Rizvan to woman

"I'm divorced."--woman to Khan

"Uh-oh. We have nothing for the newly-divorced."---Rizvan

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the trailer:

Happily Ever After -- A French love story or not?

The original French title of this film is "Ils se marièrent et eurent beaucoup d'enfants" which literally translates as "they married and had lots of kids." It's kind of a love story or not...a film review to post for Valentine's Day. This film definitely has some funny, romantic and sexy scenes.

Yvan Attal is the director/writer of this film and he's originally from Israel. He also happens to be married to Charlotte Gainsbourg who also stars in this film. BTW, Charlotte Gainsbourg is the daughter of English actress/former model Jane Birkin and French actor/singer/compose Serge Gainsbourg (who's no longer living). The two were known for recording a sexy song together called Je t'aime. Here's a link to it so you can check it out.

The beginning of this film with Charlotte Gainsbourg at a club was very confusing and surprising. I don't want to say too much about it as it will spoil it for whoever watches it!

Georges (played by Alain Chabat), Vincent (played by Yvan Attal) and Fred (played by Alain Cohen) are three good friends who commiserate about their love lives. Georges and Vincent are both married and they both envy their single friend Fred who seems to have countless hot, sexy liaisons. But all is not so great with their single friend who seems to have a free & easy love life. Georges is constantly in conflict with his beautiful wife. Vincent has his own trials and tribulations. 

Johnny Depp makes a brief cameo appearance in this film. His appearance in the film shows another side of Vincent's wife.

Some quotes from this film:

"It's hell. She wants to prove we're the same. We're not. I'm a man, she's a woman. There's a big difference." ---Georges

"So I want a German girl too!"---Georges

"I'm going home too. But there's nobody waiting for me."---Fred

"Tell me something. You ever feel like having sex with another guy?"---Vincent to his wife.

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the trailer for this film:

Love is All You Need

The original title ("Den Skaldede Frisor") of this Danish film directed by Susanne Bier literally translates as "The Bald Hairdresser." BTW, Susanne Bier has done some very interesting films. I'll mention some more directed by her in future posts.

Ida, (portrayed wonderfully by Danish actress Trine Dyrholm) the heroine of this film is in fact a bald hairdresser, hence the original Danish title.   She wears a blond wig to hide her bald head, a symptom of her cancer treatment. She comes home to find her husband Leif (Kim Bodnia) engaged "in action" on their living room couch with another woman.

Meanwhile, Trine's daughter  Astrid (played by Molly Blixt Egelind) is in Italy with her fiancé Patrick (played by Sebastian Jessen) preparing for their wedding at his family's Italian home.

By accident, Ida meets the Phillip (played by Pierce Brosnan, who even though he's getting older is still quite dashingly handsome!), father of her daughter's fiancé. Be sure to check out the car that Ida is driving.

I found this to be a very enjoyable film with humor, drama, romance and intrigue. It qualifies as a multilingual film with English, Danish and Italian. Those who love color and scenery, will enjoy the lovely scenery in the Italian locations. Watch for the recurring images of lemons and roses.

BTW, Trine along with another Danish actor, who I find quite intriguing,  is in another film that I'll be reviewing soon

Some quotes from the film:

“I doubt he’s even noticed one of them is missing.” ---Ida talking about her breasts

“Bitten, you gorgeous, beautiful, sweet girl. This is never gonna happen. I am a guy who has chosen to be by himself. Simple as that. ---Philip

“You’re doing her on my mom’s couch, while I’m fighting for my life.”---Ida

“You’re so emotional. You got your finger up your bum and your brain in neutral.”—Patrick


“Let me quote Henry Miller, You can never get nor give enough love. And to quote Herman Bang, Indifference is love’s most painful dregs.”---Benedikte

Conversation:

“I really don’t understand why anybody will work for you. When you’re so awful and stupid and not nice.”---Ida


“I pay them good money.”---Philip

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the trailer: