New Showbiz

You are here:
Wizard Mode

Wizard Mode

2016

Director

Nathan Drillot, Jeff Petry

Runtime

82 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Mastering classic pinball arcade games requires focus, agility and dedication. Robert Gagno has all these traits. It might explain why he surged from a complete unknown to one of the world's best players in five years. The achievement is even more impressive considering he was diagnosed with autism at age three. His success on the pinball circuit made him part of a community that provided acceptance and encouragement. With his parents' support and determination, Robert has exceeded every expectation placed upon him. As he approaches adulthood, his next challenge is to become more self-sufficient and gain his independence. From high-stakes tournaments across the continent to his day-to-day search for employment, we follow Robert's persistent progression to overcome obstacles and manage the highs of success and lows of falling short. In Wizard Mode, flashing lights and triple combos highlight an outstanding individual who continues to beat the odds and set records.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

5.9/10

Fair

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film maintains a neutral stance regarding LGBTQ+ identities. There is no explicit mention of non-heteronormative characters or narratives within the provided context.

Gender Representation

Fair

The story follows a standard biographical structure centered on Robert Gagno. It does not offer evidence of subverting traditional gender hierarchies or critiquing masculinity.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The narrative does not provide specific details regarding the racial or ethnic composition of the cast. Representation remains at a baseline level without further evidence of diversity.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The film reframes neurodivergence as a specialized skill set rather than a deficit. It challenges societal norms while maintaining traditional values of familial support and perseverance.

Disability Representation

Excellent

This documentary excels by centering an autistic protagonist with significant agency. It avoids 'inspiration porn,' instead treating autism as a fundamental component of his specialized competence.

Strengths

  • Centers an autistic protagonist with genuine agency and specialized competence.
  • Avoids 'inspiration porn' by treating neurodivergence as a fundamental identity component.
  • Reframes disability as a unique cognitive approach to high-stakes mastery.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit engagement with LGBTQ+ or non-heteronormative narratives.
  • Does not provide evidence of racial or ethnic diversity within the community.
  • Follows a traditional biographical structure without subverting gender hierarchies.

AI Analysis

Wizard Mode is a focused character study that succeeds by centering neurodivergent agency. It moves beyond passive portrayals of disability, instead documenting how Robert Gagno's unique cognitive approach facilitates mastery in the competitive pinball circuit. While the film provides a nuanced look at how neurodivergence intersects with specialized skill acquisition, it remains a traditional biographical narrative. It does not overtly engage with broader identity politics or the deconstruction of systemic social institutions. The documentary's strength lies in its ability to challenge tropes regarding the limitations of individuals with developmental differences, presenting a portrait of active, specialized competence rather than victimhood.

How are these scores produced? →

Similar Movies

Movie poster for Gleason

Gleason

2016

No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 5.9 out of 10

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

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.