Mozart and the Whale Reaction Paper

Mozart and the Whale is loosely based on the true story of two people with Asperger’s syndrome, and tells the story of how they developed a relationship and eventually married. Nearly the entire cast is composed of characters with disabilities who have been joined together as a support group by the main character, Donald. Donald has Asperger’s syndrome and forms the group so he can have friends. Isabelle, who also has Asperger’s Syndrome, joins Donald’s group and the two have a lot in common. Most of their similarities come from Asperger’s Syndrome - they never know what to say, they yell out inappropriate comments, they share a love for animals, and both have strong preferences. They struggle to sort out their differences, most of which stem from their disorder. Donald makes efforts to appear “normal”, while Isabelle accepts how she is and embraces her eccentric behavior. Eventually they accept their differences and get married.
Diagnosis
Mozart and the Whale is clearly about Asperger’s Syndrome, and the main characters and supporting characters all comment on how they have Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism. The main characters do a good job of displaying some of the mannerisms of Asperger’s Syndrome. Donald has difficulty engaging in, and maintaining, eye contact. When stressed, he displays repetitive motor mannerisms by holding his hand a particular way and flapping it until he calmed. Another aspect of Asperger’s Syndrome is hypersensitivity, and Isabelle is perturbed by clanging metal. She covers her ears and cowers until the noise stops. People with Asperger’s Syndrome are often very interested in a particular topic and become very knowledgeable about that topic. This aspect is displayed in this movie as Donald is very intelligent and his special interest is mathematics, and Isabella is an artist and a musician who is interested in Mozart.
Employment
Employment is addressed and the movie conveys the difficulty in getting and retaining employment for