Call Me Lucky
2015
No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 5.9 out of 10
You are here:
Find another title
Type to search for movies. Use arrow keys to navigate suggestions, Enter to select, Escape to close.
Wretches & Jabberers
2011
TV-GDirector
Gerardine Wurzburg
Runtime
90 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
In 'Wretches & Jabberers and Stories from the Road', two men with autism embark on a global quest to change prevailing attitudes about disability and intelligence. With limited speech, Tracy Thresher, 42, and Larry Bissonnette, 52, both faced lives of mute isolation in mental institutions or adult disability centers. When they learned as adults to communicate by typing, their lives changed dramatically. Their world tour message is that the same possibility exists for others like themselves. At each stop, they dissect public attitudes about autism and issue a hopeful challenge to reconsider competency and the future. Along the way, they reunite with old friends from the USA, expand the isolated world of a talented young painter and make new allies in their cause.
Where to Watch
Diversity & Representation
Overall Score
6.5/10
Good
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film lacks explicit mention of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. Its primary focus remains on neurodiversity rather than exploring non-heteronormative identities.
Gender Representation
The story centers on two men, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette. It disrupts traditional masculine archetypes by showcasing vulnerability and the necessity of alternative communication.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
A global tour suggests a diverse geographic setting that transcends Anglo-centric perspectives. However, the specific racial composition of the cast remains unconfirmed.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The film critiques systemic oppression within Western medical and mental health institutions. It frames the protagonists as active agents who challenge standard societal expectations.
Disability Representation
This is the film's greatest strength, centering the lived experiences and communicative agency of individuals with autism. It treats neurodivergence as a facet of human diversity.
Strengths
- Centers the intellectual depth and communicative agency of neurodivergent individuals.
- Rejects the 'inspiration porn' trope by focusing on authentic lived experiences.
- Challenges traditional power dynamics between institutions and disabled individuals.
Areas for Improvement
- Lacks explicit representation or narratives regarding LGBTQ+ identities.
- Specific racial and ethnic compositions of the subjects are not clearly defined.
AI Analysis
Wretches & Jabberers is a vital documentary that shifts the lens from clinical observation to lived experience. By following Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette on a global quest, the film centers neurodivergent agency and the power of self-determined communication. The work excels in its refusal to treat disability as a deficit to be cured. Instead, it uses the protagonists' transition from forced silence to typing as a tool for systemic critique and advocacy. While the film lacks explicit focus on LGBTQ+ or specific racial intersectionality, its global scope and disruption of institutional power dynamics make it a progressive piece of media.
Similar Movies
Rate this Movie
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.