Movie Review: The Horse Boy (watch on PBS on May 11th)

As a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how autism affects children.  I’ve taught students  with autism on opposite ends of the spectrum.  It is a confounding disorder, and as an educator (and parent) I am eager to learn more about it.  I’m interested in ways I can reach, teach, support and value students who have this unique way of seeing things, and being. 

I had heard about The Horse Boy.  A dear friend of  mine has a daughter on the spectrum, and she headed to our local, independent theatre to see it during a recent film festival.  I couldn’t go, so I jumped at the opportunity to review it.

If you are looking for a documentary about the causes of autism, this isn’t it.  But if you want to witness parents who would go to the ends of the earth to help their child, parents who were so frustrated you could feel it in your bones, parents who were in crisis and were willing to stop their lives, and focus on their little boy, you should see this movie.  The love and commitment pours from them, and takes your breath away.

This film  isn’t easy to watch in parts.  Rowan has tantrums, for hours, and my heart broke for the family in these moments.  It was physically painful—I broke into a cold sweat each time he would yell and cry, and I could only imagine how frustrating it would be to live through this, day after day.

Then came the beauty—and it was awe inspiring, sweet goodness that appeared in the form of a horse.  When Rowan sat upon a horse, his whole body relaxed, responded, and he began to communicate.  For me, this was the most powerful part—watching Rowan change, and come alive as he interacted with animals. 

Part of me wanted the whole movie to be about equine therapy, because clearly, that is what made this Rowan become connected, grounded, and calm.  When they took off to Mongolia, because that is where horses and healing are connected, culturally, I held my breath.  At parts of the movie, when they were visiting spiritual leaders and shamen, I wondered where the horses went.  But this was all part of their journey, and these parents were clearly willing to try anything and everything to help their little boy.

And help him they did.  It is not clear what the help was from—the horses, the shamen, the whole trip, or the family focusing so closely on the development  of their child, and not on all the work of daily living.  But the Rowan made tremendous progress.  I could feel the relief and joy pouring from his brave parents, Rupert and Kristina.  You’ve just got to see it to understand. 

This film changed my perspective about autism.  Instead of thinking of autism as an illness, we should think if it as just a different type of person.  One of my favorite quotes in the film was "autism is a form of diversity." After witnessing the talents, blessing and lessons taught to me by my autistic students, I couldn't agree more.

If you are affected by autism in any way (and who isn't),  and want to witness the amazing journey of one brave and devoted family, see The Horse Boy.  And lucky you!  You can catch it next week on PBS (I love this Independent Lens series!). 

On Tuesday, May 11, at 10 pm (check you local listings) the PBS series INDEPENDENT LENS presents THE HORSE BOY, Michel Orion Scott’s remarkable new documentary about Rupert Isaacson and Kristina Neff's unorthodox journey with their autistic son and the miracle they find through horses -- first on their Texas farm and then in the outer reaches of Mongolia.                     .