Atypical
2017
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
The story
Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, takes a funny, yet painful, journey of self-discovery for love and independence and upends his family.
What it’s like
Bright, flat suburban daylight over Connecticut kitchens and high school hallways, with a warm, unhurried camera that stays close to faces and lets awkward silences breathe. The palette is soft and domestic: beige walls, sunny yellows, the pale blue of a family van, with an easygoing indie-pop and acoustic score that dips into quiet piano when the emotions tighten. Its vibe is gentle, wry and tender, a comedy with real ache under it, best suited to a lazy weekend or a comfort rewatch. The pacing is brisk and episodic, with sharp, specific jokes that often land from the characters' honest, literal way of seeing things. Its people grow through small, hard-won steps: a young man learning to want things for himself, a mother and father reckoning with their own fears and needs, siblings finding room in a crowded house. Intensity is mild: some crude teen humor, sexual talk and awkward romance, occasional raised voices and emotional outbursts, with no gore and little real violence. It is for viewers who want warmth, humor and sincere family drama with an autistic lead, and for those who enjoy thoughtful coming-of-age stories that do not look away from discomfort.
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