How well does this film portray autism?
I think the film What's Eating Gilbert Grape? does an okay job of portray autism. This film is definitely not as successful at portraying autism as the previous movie, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I believe this film sheds a more negative light on autism and paints Arnie's character as lesser, rather than simply different.
To describe how this movie presented Oskar as an autistic boy, I will divide the characteristic behaviors he displayed into three categories.
To describe how this movie presented Oskar as an autistic boy, I will divide the characteristic behaviors he displayed into three categories.
Communication and Social Interaction:
Arnie demonstrates very underdeveloped language skills for a boy about to turn 18-years-old. He frequently talks slow and does not have a very large vocabulary. Arnie also performs echolalia quite frequently, and repeats back what he has just heard another individual say. He is also very honest, and says whatever is on his mind. Arnie also screeches and yells when he is overcome with excitement. Finally, Arnie seems to demonstrate inappropriate emotions, and will laugh at things that are very serious. For example, when Gilbert says at the dinner table that “dad’s dead,” Arnie bursts out laughing and keeps repeating “dad’s dead, dad’s dead, dad’s dead.” He also laughs when his family burns the house with his mother inside.
Overall, I think this film does an okay job of capturing the communication differences of autism. One thing I did not enjoy of Arnie’s portrayal of autism, is the fact that he displays inappropriate emotions, and laughs at unusual times. While some individuals believe that autistics lack empathy, and this is perhaps where Arnie’s inappropriate emotions stem from, throughout this semester we did not learn of any autistics laughing at unusual moments or displaying inappropriate emotions. Therefore I did not appreciate the focus on Arnie as not being respective of his family’s feelings and lacking empathy, because this misconception about autistics (that they lack empathy) is false.
Overall, I think this film does an okay job of capturing the communication differences of autism. One thing I did not enjoy of Arnie’s portrayal of autism, is the fact that he displays inappropriate emotions, and laughs at unusual times. While some individuals believe that autistics lack empathy, and this is perhaps where Arnie’s inappropriate emotions stem from, throughout this semester we did not learn of any autistics laughing at unusual moments or displaying inappropriate emotions. Therefore I did not appreciate the focus on Arnie as not being respective of his family’s feelings and lacking empathy, because this misconception about autistics (that they lack empathy) is false.
Stimming Behaviors:
Arnie also performs some stimming behavior that is characteristic of autistics. He is often seen wiggling his fingers and sometimes flaps his hands as well. Stimming usually helps autistics relieve stress at times when they feel overwhelmed and this seemed to be why Arnie did stimming as well. Overall I believe this section accurately portrayed the stimming that is characteristic with autism.
Other:
Arnie also demonstrates some other behaviors that are characteristic of autistics. Arnie is shown in one seen taking part in self-destructive behavior, in the form of hitting himself, because he is upset. Similarly to how Oskar from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close would pinch himself, this desire to hurt themselves could stem from either anxiety or depression which can be co-morbid with autism. When upset, Arnie also throws tantrums, during which he screams and yells. Arnie also appears to have sensitivities to certain smells and tastes/textures. For example, in one scene he is shown looking somewhat apprehensive about eating spaghetti. I believe these characteristics accurately portray real characteristics autistics may face.
However, there were some characteristics that are very stereotypical of autistics and do not accurately represent their behaviors. In this movie, Arnie always has an unkempt appearance, in which his hair never looks brushed, and his face and clothes are usually covered in dirt. While it is very possible that some autistics do not care much about their appearance, this trait is also true of non-autistics, so the fact that Arnie was the only character whose appearance was untidy seems to suggest that autistics are somehow lesser in appearance and don’t take care of themselves, which is not true. Also, Arnie always seems to be getting in trouble with his family or the police. Another characteristic of Arnie’s that does not accurately represent autistics is the fact that he is often seen playing with little children’s toys. As a soon to be 18-year-old, Arnie would probably not still be playing with children’s toys, and it seems as though Arnie was portrayed this way in the film to allude to a lesser mental capacity, that he can only play with kid toys. This reminds me of the ADOS videos we viewed during weeks 3 and 4, where children between the ages of 5-12 were asked to play with toys typically used by a much younger age group, and how this aspect of the ADOS implies a lesser mental capacity for children with autism, which is untrue and unfair. I did not like this aspect of the film because I think it looks down upon autism and inaccurately depicts autism.
However, there were some characteristics that are very stereotypical of autistics and do not accurately represent their behaviors. In this movie, Arnie always has an unkempt appearance, in which his hair never looks brushed, and his face and clothes are usually covered in dirt. While it is very possible that some autistics do not care much about their appearance, this trait is also true of non-autistics, so the fact that Arnie was the only character whose appearance was untidy seems to suggest that autistics are somehow lesser in appearance and don’t take care of themselves, which is not true. Also, Arnie always seems to be getting in trouble with his family or the police. Another characteristic of Arnie’s that does not accurately represent autistics is the fact that he is often seen playing with little children’s toys. As a soon to be 18-year-old, Arnie would probably not still be playing with children’s toys, and it seems as though Arnie was portrayed this way in the film to allude to a lesser mental capacity, that he can only play with kid toys. This reminds me of the ADOS videos we viewed during weeks 3 and 4, where children between the ages of 5-12 were asked to play with toys typically used by a much younger age group, and how this aspect of the ADOS implies a lesser mental capacity for children with autism, which is untrue and unfair. I did not like this aspect of the film because I think it looks down upon autism and inaccurately depicts autism.
Overall...
...I think What's Eating Gilbert Grape? incorporates some very stereotypical views of autism into their portrayal of the character Arnie. I strongly disliked the fact that he was presented as lacking empathy, was the only character with an untidy appearance and also that he was often seen playing with children's toys, instead of more age appropriate toys. I think these representations are inaccurate and attempt to depict autistics as lesser than neurotypicals. Other than these three inaccuracies I believe the film portrays autism accurately, however not nearly as accurately as in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
How is Arnie treated by others?
Another aspect of this movie that I liked significantly less than Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, is how Arnie was treated by his family and community members. The film begins with Gilbert mentioning that the doctors said Arnie would be lucky if he lived to age 10, and because he is almost 18 now, he could go at any time. Because it was not mentioned that Arnie has any condition other than autism, this statement by the doctors implies that autism is a horrible disease that significantly shortens lifespans, which is not the least bit true. Another comment of Gilbert's that I extremely disliked was when he was talking about Arnie and says, "some days you want him to live, some days you don't." I think this quote is horrible and completely unfair to Arnie. While raising an autistic child may come with difficulties, it is very sad that a family member would put the struggles that accompany raising a child, ahead of the child himself, and actually suggest that he wishes the child was not alive some days. This comment reminds me of the statement we heard from the Senior Vice President of Autism Speaks who admits she considered murdering her autistic child. While Gilbert is not going so far as to say he is contemplating murder, he is definitely being unfair when he wishes somedays that Arnie was not alive. Another disappointing comment from Gilbert is when he is saying what he would wish for if he could have anything, and one thing he mentions is, "a new brain for Arnie." Similarly to parents who strive to cure their child of autism, Gilbert is ultimately saying that he wishes Arnie was replaced with a neurotypical child. Instead of wishing to change his unique and wonderful brother, Gilbert should instead appreciate Arnie and his differences.
There were also some examples of Arnie being physically abused within the movie. The first example occurs when Arnie's sister Ellen is attempting to get prevent Arnie from climbing up the water tower yet again. Ellen pulls Arnie off the ladder and then throws him down, which causes him to cut his wrist. She then pulls his hair and yells at him for his actions. Gilbert comes to Arnie's rescue and scolds Ellen for hurting him. He also reminds Arnie to tell him if anyone ever hurts him because that is not okay. However, later in the movie, Gilbert himself slaps Arnie in the face, while they are in the bathroom. Pushing and hitting any child is never okay and it was sad to see Arnie be pushed around by his own family.
While there are quite a few moments throughout the movie where I appreciate Gilbert's protectiveness over Arnie, and the fact that he always seems to be looking out for him, there are also some comments and actions that Gilbert does that makes me strongly dislike him.
There were also some examples of Arnie being physically abused within the movie. The first example occurs when Arnie's sister Ellen is attempting to get prevent Arnie from climbing up the water tower yet again. Ellen pulls Arnie off the ladder and then throws him down, which causes him to cut his wrist. She then pulls his hair and yells at him for his actions. Gilbert comes to Arnie's rescue and scolds Ellen for hurting him. He also reminds Arnie to tell him if anyone ever hurts him because that is not okay. However, later in the movie, Gilbert himself slaps Arnie in the face, while they are in the bathroom. Pushing and hitting any child is never okay and it was sad to see Arnie be pushed around by his own family.
While there are quite a few moments throughout the movie where I appreciate Gilbert's protectiveness over Arnie, and the fact that he always seems to be looking out for him, there are also some comments and actions that Gilbert does that makes me strongly dislike him.