Movie Of The Week

Sydney Morning Herald

Monday December 29, 2008

Doug Anderson

Magnificent 7 (2005) ABC1, 8.30pm

If you are expecting a re-run of the classic 1960 western by John Sturges - and let's face it, such films tend to pop up frequently at this time of year - think again.

There's nothing remotely western in this film inspired by the 2003 documentary My Family And Autism - based on Jacqui Jackson's book, Multicoloured Mayhem.

But at a time of year when families - usual and unusual - get together, it's an inspiring celebration of kith and kin: funny, heart-rending and informative.

Jackson, from Blackpool, is a single mother to seven children - three girls and four boys. All of the boys have some kind of disorder in the autism spectrum.

Matthew (Richard in the film) has dyslexia and developmental dyspraxia. He hates surprises.

Joe (Davey) struggles with ADHD and is alternately creative and destructive, Ben (Curtis) is autistic, hates the colour red, is allergic to almost everything - including Christmas - and Luke has atypical Asperger syndrome, manifesting as naivete and prone to disproportionate reactions.

Not surprisingly he has experienced bullying and has little awareness of matters such as sarcasm.

Their sisters, Rachel, Sarah and Anna (in the film Louise, Elizabeth and Rebekah), are "normal".

Jacqui, who becomes Maggi (played by Helena Bonham Carter), approved the adaptation of her book and welcomes the chance for audiences to look at the world from a different perspective as the clan's fortunes play out over a year - Christmas to Christmas - rejoicing in the highlights, the painful incidents and day-to day stuff both as it is and as it seems in hindsight.

Anyone who has experienced the panic of a child disappearing or breaking from a familiar routine will relate strongly to the scene in which Luke becomes lost.

Maggi's life is exhausting and challenging - as it must be for any mother of seven ordinary children, let alone four with special needs. She accepts it and carries on because for her the film never ends.

It's up to you to decide if it's a "feel-good" movie - and it probably isn't.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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