Ty Smith (John Wells) is above the normal cut of parents. This gripping, inspirational drama focuses on the hardships (and blessings) of raising a child with autism. Featuring strong performances all the way around, including that of Cameron Arnett (The Forge), Ty’s boss, the movie opens with a warning that viewer discretion is advised, as it depicts family conflict, institutionalism, and sensory distress elements as well as the topic, briefly, of suicide. But although not intended for young children, the story is also uplifting, inspiring, and shows how that love can overcome many, many struggles. The movie is partly based on real events and people.
The movie opens with a scene of broken pieces from a young man, autistic, having thrown an object and shattered it. An upset woman says, “It’s fine,” and a man replies, “Look around, this is not fine.” The movie shifts to Elijah, Ty’s son, lying stressed in bed. His dad attempts to get Elijah to refocus, and he asks him what he would like for Christmas if he could have what he wanted. “Beach,” replies Elijah, who has a longing to see the beach and experience it. Ty uses a small, stuffed bear to tell the story of an amazing little boy named Elijah, although Elijah considers himself to be “bad.” Actor Reece Turley portrays young Elijah and Caleb Milby plays the grown Elijah Smith.
The movie jumps ahead to seven years later and Dad Ty is now divorced, working as an architect, and he talks to a counselor. He speaks of two-hour visitations with his institutionalized son, who is numb with medication. He also tells of court hearings and of his hateful ex-wife, and he says he just doesn’t know what to do. In a scene that follows, he is sitting at a table with fellow employees in a meeting and he mentions his son, and one employee whispers, “Here we go again.” “What did you say?!” asks Ty before his supervisor, Solomon, pulls him aside. He tells Ty he was a top architect, but it is obvious that Ty’s problems have affected his work. Ty tells him that life hasn’t been beautiful in a long time. Solomon tells him to focus on the beauty, and not on the poison, of his life. He also informs him that he has two weeks to get things done on the job or he is through.
Ty struggles with his faith, which is one of the themes of the movie. “You just don’t show up, do you?” he asks God. “Since you already quit on me, God, you’re fired. You’re fired!” A big bear shows up, symbolic, and asks Ty what his plan is. The bear calls him “Peter Procrastinator.” The bear, Elijah’s bear, tells Ty that he has been drooled on, peed on, puked on, and pooped on (by Elijah) but he comes back after every cleaning “because he needs me.” The point is made.
Next, we see a pastor at a church preaching with a “Find and Follow Jesus” sign near him. He quotes from the gospel of Matthew that what would it profit a man if he were to gain the whole world and lose his own soul. Then Mr. Sinclair (nicely portrayed by Daniel Roebuck) shows up, and he wants Ty to finish a design for a building for him.
The movie features some funny scenes, including Elijah putting things on Ty’s face as he sleeps and taking photos with his phone and then posting them online. In one scene, when Ty realizes Elijah has taken photos of him sleeping, he calls himself “Sleeping Beauty.” “No, Sleeping Dinosaur!” Elijah laughs. The movie focuses a lot on Ty’s relationship with Elijah and although he becomes frustrated at times, his patience and love for his son are obvious. As he tells Elijah, “I’m still learning you,” which is also the movie’s title. This is a great comparison to God’s love for us although we sometimes don’t act the way we should.
Ty is determined to fulfill his son’s wish to see the beach, and he heads to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. In a nice plot twist, Mr. Sinclair heads there too and we learn that he too has an autistic son. Sinclair and Ty catch up and without spoiling the ending, they find they have a few things in common, and the story is nicely wrapped up. The theme of love and forgiveness are nicely portrayed in this inspiring drama.
Content Analysis: A strong Christian theme is portrayed in this movie, with the pastor’s message on not losing one’s soul, and the forgiveness that characters show to one another, and Ty’s return to God by the picture’s conclusion.
Think About It: Discussion points can include the challenges with autism, what to do when a person feels overwhelmed, and the need for prayer to sustain oneself during trying times. Also, a discussion point is the need to show patience with others who are struggling with life’s problems.
The Dove Take: This inspiring drama has earned our Dove Seal for Ages 12+ and is a realistic story with examples of overcoming life’s problems by perseverance and faith in God. The film is magical, and it focuses on love.
