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A Boy Called Po

When David Wilson's young wife falls victim to cancer, he becomes a single working dad with the sole responsibility of caring for his sixth grade son with autism. Patrick, who prefers to be called "Po," is a gifted but challenged child who was very close to his mother and unable to communicate his own sense of loss. As father and son struggle to deal with life after mom, they each begin to withdraw into their own worlds. David withdraws into the high pressure job he's close to losing and Po drifts away from the school where he's bullied, into his magical fantasy world, the Land of Color, where he's just a typical carefree boy with a rich cast of other worldly companions. The growing divide between father and son and the challenges of single parenthood of a special-needs child threaten to separate David and Po permanently. Based on a true story, the bonds of love between a grieving father and son are tested in the most real way in "Po."
9
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
12345
FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

“Po” is an inspiring story about a committed father, David Wilson (Christopher Gorham), and his love and concern for his autistic son, Patrick, fondly called “Po” (Julian Feder). The two lead actors are terrific, and so are the other members of the cast, including Kaitlin Doubleday who plays Amy, a therapist who works with Po and develops a relationship with his father. Po drifts at times, leaving the real world behind for an imaginary one that includes his adventures with a pirate and a British girl named Amelia. The rest of the time, he lives in the real world and deals with a bully named Taylor (Tristian Chase), his longing for his now-deceased mother, and his difficulty in showing his father affection. David is overwhelmed with fulfilling the demands of his job, caring for Po, who can be a handful, and taking care of the medical bills.

This dramatic story shows the love between a father and son and speaks strongly for the many special needs children in the world. We are pleased to award it our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal for ages twelve-plus.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

A bully pokes and punches an autistic boy on a few occasions; a man punches an officer when he calls the man's son a "retard"; a kid is pushed into a locker but eventually is freed; kids chase a boy; we see the shadows of a boy pushing another boy to the ground.

2
Sex

Couple kisses; innuendo; a girl says she has "two dads."

2
Language

G/OG-2; BS-1; D-1; Da*n it-1; A-1; Sucks-2; Dummy-1; Freak-1; Little bird brain freak-1; Spaceman-2; Idiot-1; "Retard Son"-1

2
Violence

A bully pokes and punches an autistic boy on a few occasions; a man punches an officer when he calls the man's son a "retard"; a kid is pushed into a locker but eventually is freed; kids chase a boy; we see the shadows of a boy pushing another boy to the ground.

0
Drugs

The drinking of wine.

1
Nudity

Cleavage in a scene; a boy is in his underwear in a few scenes.

2
Other

A father goes through great difficulties, including financial struggles in raising an autistic son; tension between characters; belching; an autistic boy uses food to make a rainbow on the wall; death and grief.

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Film Information
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Runtime
95
Rating
N/A
Reviewer
Edwin L Carpenter
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