Playing the Autistic: Claire Danes and Temple Grandin
August 16, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
First, I must confess: I was very fond of My So-Called Life, the TV show that brought actress Claire Danes to fame, and that only lasted (sigh) one season. For better and for worse, I still channel “Angela Chase” and hear that voice of teenage girl discontent on seeing Danes’s name—-so now I’m not quite sure how to think of Danes playing autistic scientist Temple Grandin in an HBO biopic. A commenter offers some leading questions about Danes in this role and the August 15th New York Magazine asks about how she’ll be “playing the autistic” in the context of the movie many of us are not so happy about for its used of the r-word, Tropic Thunder.
Here’s what New York Magazine has to say:
In Tropic Thunder’s most talked-about — both positively and negatively — scene, Robert Downey Jr. draws a distinction between playing an autistic character and going “full retard,” as Ben Stiller’s Tug Speedman did in the now-notorious Simple Jack. “Dustin Hoffman,” he says. “Rain Man. Looks retarded, acts retarded. Not retarded. Autistic, sure.” That HBO announced Claire Danes’s biopic of autism-rights advocate Temple Grandin the week of Tropic Thunder’s release makes the cable net’s PR team either totally foolish or evil geniuses. Danes is a capable actress, and Grandin’s story — including her work designing more humane slaughterhouses — is legitimately interesting without the requisite saccharinity usually attending such fare
New York Magazine suggests that the “real question” is this:
Will the Grandin biopic succeed in breaking the “retard” barrier for serious actresses? ……….Can a neurotypical actor ever play someone with a neurological disorder without seeming pompous and self-important at best, or horribly exploitative at worst?
Does “autistic” mean/equal “retard,” in common parlance? Or, rather, to “play the autistic,” how “retarded” ought, or ought not, an actress be? Is it possible to “act autistic” and not simply play out stereotypes of “what autism looks like”?
On which note, I am hoping that Danes does her research and reads and meets not only Grandin but other autistic adults, like many a friend on the Autism Hub (and what about Dawn Prince-Hughes?). And, perhaps too, that she focuses not on “playing the autistic” but on playing the person, scientist, author, animal behavior expert Temple Grandin.
Temple Grandin is cool. I still have to read that Emergence book, but I read thinking in pictures ages ago.
I hope Claire Danes doesn’t act like a stereotype, or doesn’t act like that chick in that movie at annoyed me The OTher Sister.
I just get irratated because they never specify in movies about Developmental Disabilities what disability the character has! Is it down syndrome, cerebral palsey(sp)? There’s so many different things, but these folks act Generic. That also bugged me in I am Sam which to me seemed more like an advertisement for Pizza Hut, Starbucks and other places.
Rain Man was OK, but then it makes people think that all autistic people act and talk like that. There’s always With the Light if they make an anime out of it because that’s probably one of the best protrayals of autism issues I’ve read. So good. embrassing to read in public though as my eyes get all moist during certain parts
Kristina, I hope Claire does what you’re suggesting in her preparation for the role…
Good actors can play any character and be successful, especially with the help of a great director. I’m not sure if Claire Danes can do it because she’s never done anything very challenging, but playing Temple Grandin can be her first chance to prove herself.
I really liked Sigourney Weaver playing the autistic character in “Snow Cake”, and Josh Hartnett playing an Aspie in “Mozart and the Whale”– his co-star Radha Mitchell though, did not convince me as an Asperger’s woman, she acted more like a regular neurotic person, very similar to her role in Woody Allen’s “Melinda & Melinda”.
I saw Temple speak today on humane animal handling. She spoke about doing the movie with Claire. I suspect that Temple wouldn’t let the movie be released unless it is an accurate depiction of what her life is really like.
My two cents.
Retard barrier? I tell you what, I’m withholding judgment on Tropic Thunder until I see it. Which might be never as I don’t much care for those sorts of movies.
But retard barrier? What the hell? Is that supposed to be ironic? Am I too literal to ‘get’ it?
The stereotypes are getting so thick. I’m not sure that an authentic rendition of the variety of the spectrum would get much credit – with audiences or with the critics. A lot of this is everybody suspending disbelief and seeing what they intend to see. That kind of worries me.
I hope that it comes out well.
As I understand it, and I haven’t seen “Tropic Thunder” and I am unlikely to see it until it is out on video, the whole thing is skewering Hollywood. And a lot of what goes on in the movie business is very, very shallow. Haven’t you ever noticed that some “demanding” roles are Oscar contenders and some are not? Play homicidal, play homosexual, play ugly when you are gorgeous? Now those take guts. Play disabled, and you don’t get the same kind of respect. I think that isn’t a bad observation. Offensive language – correctly chosen for the characters in question, I’m sure – but offensive.
I have written before, on my blog at some length to my memory, it would be a nearly impossible task to act convincingly as an autistic character if you weren’t already autistic, for any number of reasons, in the subtleties. But if Danes can get it even half-right, I’ll be happy. I think she may be able to for the source material, which is quite specific.
As to “Tropic Thunder”… I have to admit to not caring. Stiller movies usually ring so hollow for me and so idiotic that it doesn’t cross my mind why disability advocates would want to attack that particular target over the others that exist. It’s the kind of movie that is supported by idiotic, over-the-top statements, and it just doesn’t matter, in my mind, in the larger picture, or at least it is representative of a more real problem and thus is just not where energy should be spent.
Cliff
I loved Snowcake. And when I am in situations with people who do not have autism I have to remind myself to “do social”.
I quite like Claire Danes; adored Shop-girl. One of the few good movies made recently. As for Rainmain? My brother-in-law asks when Boo is going to be able to count cards….
xx
I also got my first glimpse of Claire Danes in My So-Called Life, and I’ve watched her develop as an actress since then. I think she’s capable of playing the role respectfully; hopefully she won’t be directed badly. I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt.
I’m going to check out Snowcake – SW is another favorite.
Won’t the depiction be meta? After all, isn’t Grandin known, in part, for her ability to act NT. So Danes will be an NT playing an autistic mimicking an NT.
I believe Kim Peek (the man the movie Rainman was based on) doesn’t have a diagnosis of autism, but rather agenesis of the corpus callosum. My son has ACC (he has no savant capabilities that I am aware of), but also meets the criteria for PDD-NOS, which is probably true for many of the people with ACC (note that ACC is definitely a physical difference). In the movie, does it actually specify that the character has autism? I was just wondering if it was stated or if it has always just been assumed?
In the movie, does it actually specify that the character has autism? I was just wondering if it was stated or if it has always just been assumed?
From Rainman,
Charlie Babbit (Ray’s brother): Is he retarded?
Dr. Bruner: Not exactly. Not crazy or retarded, but he’s here. – He’s an autistic savant.
Charlie Babbit: I don’t know what that means.
Dr. Bruner: People Like him used to be called ‘idiot savants.’ They have certain deficiencies, certain abilities.
Charlie Babbit: Well, he’s retarded.
Dr. Bruner: Autistic. Actually, high-functioning.
Charlie Babbit: What does that mean?
Dr. Bruner: It means that there’s a disability that impairs the sensory input… and how it’s processed.
——————-
Small Town Nurse: He’s ‘artistic’?
Charlie Babbit: No, he’s autistic.
Small Town Doctor: In his case, he’s pretty well off. He’s very high-functioning. Most autistics can’t speak or communicate. [to Ray] Do you know what ‘autistic’ is?
Raymond Babbit: – Yeah. –
Doctor: You know that word? Are you autistic?
Raymond Babbit: I don’t think so. No. Definitely not.
The use of that word “high-functioning” stands out—-seeing as Raymond lives in an institution and is not able to live on his own.
I’m thinking (thinking) because the HBO movie is about Temple Grandin that autism would be mentioned, most very likely?
Here’s her new book, The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s.
Thanks Regan. I don’t recall even watching the whole movie, nor do I know much about Kim Peek except he comes up a lot when talking about agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC). I found a special that I am watching now out of curiousity…http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6767261625889336539
Oddly enough, I have had well-respected doctors tell me that my son’s “autism” effects him more than his ACC, or the colpocephaly, etc. And all I can say is “huh?”
I’m still amazed that no one has ever noticed that Shopgirl was a film about 3 people with Asperger’s, and the different ways that it expresses itself in individuals and genders.
I loved that film, and have always been impressed with Claire Danes.
I guess I’m thin skinned.. “retard barrier” is highly offensive to me. But the rest of the article I do agree with. I hope Danes does her homework. Nice post.
I was an extra when they were filming Claire Danes as Temple Grandin. I think she will be great and hopefully this film will boost her career !!
We Are Not A Metaphor
A Conversation About Representation
American Theatre Magazine
I just heard Temple Grandin speak today at an autism confernece in Dallas and she is how I heard of this upcoming show. She said that she is really excited and “Claire is doing a wonderful job preparing and can’t wait to see it.” So if Temple thinks it’s going to be good…it will be good.
I saw the movie and Temple Grandin, as played by Danes, acts pretty damned retarded sometimes.
I have autism and I have never once acted any where near as inappropriate or “retarded” as she does in the film.
I’d like to respond to “Jon”. My son is 18 and he is autistic, he is not a savant, nor does he have Asperger’s, he will never be able to drive, he doesn’t carry on a conversation, he will answer me when I ask simple questions, such as “How was your day?”. He does lose control sometimes and need to leave a situation, most especially when it gets loud or too crowded. If that is what you consider inappropriate or “retarded” then I feel sorry for your inability to accept others, especially if you have autism.
I watched this movie with Claire Danes last night. It made me cry, it made me laugh, it brought back memories of earlier years with him. I have read Temple’s books and my personal opinion was that Claire stayed very true to the descriptions in them. I hold her and her husband Hugh Dancy in the highest regard. He recently portrayed the character “Adam” about a man with aspergers.
There are so many different levels of autism, and so many different stories out there. Please never let anyone pigeon hole you or your child and tell you what can or can not be done. They told me my son would never be above a 1 to 1 1/2 yr mentality. He is a Senior in High School and keeps up with his class. He can do anything he wants on this computer, and I am so blessed to be able to call him my son.