For better or worse, The Reason I Jump isn’t a documentary made for autistic viewers but for a neurotypical audience that may not be very knowledgeable about autism. This means the film doesn’t really offer anything new to the conversation, and it misses the opportunity to truly let its main characters express themselves in their own unique ways, uninterrupted. That said, The Reason I Jump still structures itself smartly (with stunning filmmaking to boot) by having each of its five characters introduce us to different aspects of the autism experience, from sense and memory to communication and community.
"Effective at conveying the sensory experience of neurodiversity while educating non-autistic viewers."
— Matthew Mulcahy
"By opting for a measured and more humble approach, "The Reason I Jump" solidifies as less of an instructive solution than an empathetic work of encouragement."
— David Ehrlich
Based on the book by Naoki Higashida, filmmaker Jerry Rothwell examines the lives of five non-speaking, autistic youngsters.
A portrait of five non-speaking autistic people from around the world and the insights they provide into the experience of autism.
But what helps the film set itself at a significant distance from other movies or documentaries that seek to represent autistic individuals is that director Jerry Rothwell really tries to approximate what the world might look like through a more neurodivergent lens. And while this sounds like a recipe for making something patronizing and manipulative, Rothwell pulls it off with class. Any seemingly strange edits or unique sound design doesn't come off as spectacle but as a sincere attempt to get neurotypicals to have an even more intimate understanding of autistic people, from the very basic senses that make up our lives together.
Who says documentaries shouldn't get nominated for technical craft awards?
Sundance
1 win
