Bobby Cannavale plays a comedian with an 11-year-old autistic son (an impressive debut for William A. Fitzgerald, who is on the spectrum himself). After some setbacks, he ends up taking his son on a road trip. This film is very much about a father fighting for his son’s acceptance, disputing the attempts to minimize his uniqueness. Cannavale creates a volatile, but devoted character (although in a common complaint about comics in movies…his set is not funny). The rest of the cast turns in solid performances, including Robert De Niro as the grandfather and Rose Byrne as the mom. Director Tony Goldwyn has kept the focus on the emotions, but there’s more message here than touching drama. Fitzgerald is compelling and the theme is admirable, but some of the plot seems forced and the film is more earnest than moving. BTW, stay for the early credits to see the payoff. 
(2.5 / 5)
