Ezra (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – EZRA centers on comedian Max co-parenting autistic son Ezra with ex-wife Jenna. Faced with crucial decisions about Ezra’s future, Max and Ezra go on a life-changing cross-country road trip.

My Take – Indeed, there is shortage of features that tackle autism, but rarely has the spectrum disorder been portrayed accurately on screen, particularly with the sincerity it requires. On one hand we have films like Rain Main (1988) and Miracle Run (2004), but on the other we have forced tearjerkers like Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) and Music (2021), which faced intense scrutiny for its handling of a character with autism.

Thankfully, that is not case with this latest directorial effort from Tony Goldwyn, an esteemed actor who most recently appeared in Oppenheimer (2023) and Murder Mystery 2 (2023), and has previously helmed the very underrated legal drama Conviction (2010), which uses the screenplay from his long-time writer friend Tony Spiridakis, inspired by his own experience in co-parenting a kid with autism.

Offering a charming and passionate understanding of raising a child on the spectrum, the film takes a very real look at the difficulties and joys involved, immediately standing out amidst inaccurate portrayals.

Sure, the script takes one too many melodramatic turns, but it works well as a feel-good film that avoids cheap sentimentality in favor of realism.

Yes, some might view some of the content in the film as done in poor taste, especially how Robert De Niro‘s character laments about how he can’t use the R-word anymore, however, the ensemble and Goldwyn’s sensitive approach feels honest every step of the way, especially with very likable cast maintaining the flow of the narrative.

In general, though, the film is a tender and touching ode to all the Ezras of the world, and the people who love them.

The story follows Max Brandel (Bobby Cannavale), a former late-night comedy writer turned stand-up comedian who is trying to break further into the business. He’s also the proud dad of Ezra (William Fitzgerald), his incredibly intelligent 11-year-old autistic son, of whom he shares custody with Jenna (Rose Byrne), his ex-wife, who he is still in love with and manages to co-parent fairly well despite minor disagreements here and there.

Following his recent financial troubles, Max has also moved in with this his father Stan (Robert De Niro), who isn’t shy about wanting Max to get his life together. However, real troubles begin when Ezra leads a minor revolution in his elementary school classroom, potentially inspired by a ‘Breaking Bad’ binge the weekend before, his school threatens to remove him, believing that he needs a more specialized education.

To make matters worse, after Ezra runs out of the house and is almost hit by a car, the doctors want to put him on special medication, even though Max is weary of giving his son any prescription drug. And when an altercation at a doctor’s office results in a a restraining order being placed against Max that prevents him from getting close to his only child for the next three months, he decides to take drastic steps.

With this supportive manager, Jayne (Whoopi Goldberg), providing him with a career opportunity that could put his life back on track, Max kidnaps Ezra to take him on a cross-country trip from New York to Los Angeles.

While the notion of a cross-country road trip could very easily set off warning flares, especially with Jenna and Stan following in hot pursuit, the film takes the characters in some unanticipated directions, dodging an Amber Alert by making a pit stop at a camp run by an old comedy buddy Nick (Rainn Wilson) and another at the farm belonging to a nurturing woman from Max’s past Grace (Vera Farmiga).

Although the ultimate destination turns out to be Hollywood, where Max has nabbed a spot on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, it’s the journey that proves the most rewarding.

Mostly as it is about a fathers’ bond with his child. The story is emotional, dramatic, and peppered with lighthearted parts. It does not solely focus on autism but uses it to show that even fathers struggle with doing what is best and questioning their abilities.

Though Max’s past mental health issues and possibly undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder are frequently alluded to, his experience makes him an understanding father to Ezra, but also somewhat hampers his ability to properly parent his son.

Upset that Ezra might be medicated with anti-psychotics and placed in a special education school, Max assesses that the doctors, pharmaceutical companies and the state are in collusion to keep himself and his son apart. He’s not necessarily wrong, but his desire to expose Ezra to the world and treat him like any other kid bumps up against Jenna’s wish to provide her son with every accommodation and suggested treatment.

Somehow, every character choice in the film seems plausible because it comes from a place of emotional honesty, both in the script and performances. We understand why Max acts in the extreme, and also why Jenna is hesitant to call the authorities, but feels forced to do so, because their characters are relatable.

Understandably, some of the plot triggers feel wrongly contrived, but the film manages to reach its far-fetched, dramatic destination well.

Performances wise, Bobby Cannavale has never been better before. He knows he’s landed a great role and really runs with it; he’s entirely credible as both a stand-up comic and as a fiercely protective dad whose desire for Ezra to live a normal life occasionally blinds him to what best serves his son. He also shares great chemistry with William Fitzgerald. Despite no previous film experience, Fitzgerald keeps up with Cannavale and the rest of the ensemble seamlessly. He’s hilarious when he needs to be and displays confident strength when pushing back against the adults.

Rose Byrne is excellent as always as the admirably pragmatic Jenna, who is struggling to maintain her sanity while juggling the sanity of three generations of troubled men. It is also refreshing to see Robert De Niro in a realistic dramatic role that demonstrates once again his talent extends far beyond the realm of the gangster villain. In smaller roles, Tony Goldwyn, Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are highly likable. On the whole, ‘Ezra’ is a heartfelt, sensitive and endearing drama propelled by strong performances.