Ezra

Rating 5/10

Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale) is a struggling stand-up comedian whose life is in disarray following a divorce. A volatile temper has adversely affected both his career and personal affairs.  Now living with father Stan (Robert De Niro), Max attempts to co-parent his autistic son with ex-wife. Jenna is sensitively depicted by actress Rose Byrne, his longtime partner in real life.  Ezra, played by autistic actor William Fitzgerald, exhibits disruptive conduct that prompts school authorities to recommend a special school and medication.

Max denounces this instruction aggressively. His boy doesn’t need drugs. He needs a dad. Max opposes the doctor so strongly that his violent response lands him briefly in jail. The court subsequently slaps Dad with a restraining order: no contact with Ezra for three months. Max grapples with how to continue to support his boy. At the same time, he desperately wants to secure a TV spot on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to revive his faltering comedy career. The opportunity leads to a drastic decision to violate the court order and kidnap Ezra on a cross-country road trip to California.

This literal and figurative journey is designed to be a transformative experience between a mouthy hothead father and his hug-hating son. There’s just one problem: neither is likable. The boy’s issues are understandable, but the adult Max is repellent. He doesn’t have a clue on how to raise a kid. In his stand-up act, he even jokes about his offspring: “He didn’t speak for years, and then when he started speaking, he wouldn’t shut up.” Father also screams a lot, prompting Ezra to ask, “Dad, why do you shout all the time?”

The two navigate their complex relationship in a screenplay written by Tony Spiridakis (Queens Logic) and directed by Tony Goldwyn (Someone Like You). The movie champions the rights of parents over the rights of the state—even when a parent violates the law. Comedic elements are woven into a poignant exploration of familial bonds and the strain of raising a neurodivergent child. The picture features a strong supporting cast that includes Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, and Whoopi Goldberg. These performances highlight the hardships this family faces. Despite some cliched developments, the plot is an authentic study of family dynamics.

I found myself grappling with mixed emotions toward the characters. The father and his autistic son both face significant challenges due to their inherited traits, which naturally evoke empathy. However, their personalities make it rather difficult to connect with them on an emotional level. Max deeply loves his child. There is no question about that. I recognize that some behavioral issues are beyond our control, so I sympathized with their predicament. Nevertheless, their character flaws are too oppressive to embrace. It’s hard to engage with their plight.

On a positive note, during their trip, Max and Ezra stay with Nick (Rainn Wilson), Max’s childhood friend who now runs a camp with help from Sister Margaret, a Catholic novitiate from Senegal. Actress Jacqueline Nwabueze shines with a warmth that adds an uplifting dimension. Her all-too-brief appearance offers some much-needed hope and compassion. The movie would have benefited from focusing more on her.

06-04-24