Thesis on Autism
Mercury Rising: A View on Autism
While studies of the effects of Autism are very prevalent in today’s society, there are still those who do not directly understand the nature of this disability. This comes about despite the excellent information that has been given by numerous organizations. A movie that directly shows this correlation between Autism and a man that is virtually unknowledgeable in the disability is Mercury Rising. A nine year old Autistic boy has cracked a government super code, and because of this, his mother and father have been murdered to cover up the National Security breach. An undercover FBI agent must now risk his own life to protect this innocent boy from further harm. In doing so he learns to care for the disabled child and gains more of an understanding as to what Autism is.
Simon, who is a young Autistic boy in the story, is introduced in a manner that shows him to be independent in his ways. This characters portrayal of this disability is easily seen by actions of routine and repetition in the beginning of the story. Also due to Autism, his attention is only drawn to what he wishes to see and hear. As the viewer, it can be seen that Simon is comfortable in his everyday life. Simple repetitive actions, such as always having his mother prepare a cup of hot chocolate everyday after school, gave Simon the self indulgences that every person needs to remain at ease. Much due to his disability, the unknown and differences in life brought fear to him because it was the unknown that he had never experienced. This accurate representation of an Autistic boy gave a great deal of insight to the viewers showing how other characters interacted with the boy.
The writer of this movie must have known that his character, Simon, would be Autistic before the script was ever written. Simply stated, it would not be the same film without Simon having a disability of this magnitude. Portraying Simon as Autistic allowed the writer to show the boy’s different way of thought. Simon saw things different than the normal human being and without this he would have never been able to disable the National Security Code. The code, which was inserted into a puzzle book, was designed to be impossible to decipher by the ordinary human mind, but Simon saw it in a new light. With his Autism, he was able to have the code appear to him in a way that by no means represented rational human thought. The writer of this film built his character into the main theme of the story to create a one of a kind view of Autism.
Two ways of thinking, as seen in the film, depict the acceptance and understanding of Autism as well as the stereotypical point of view towards the disability. Simon’s parents, of course, embraced their son’s disability. An understanding of what their son dealt with led them to create an environment that was safe and easy for him to navigate and cope with. Art, an undercover FBI agent, also displayed an acceptance of the boy’s disability. After Simon’s parents are murdered in the midst of a government cover up, Art takes to Simon in a way that can only be described as unconventional. While trying to save the boy’s life, Art finds new meaning in what it is like to be Autistic. The transformation of how Art communicates with Simon shows that human interaction can evolve in extraordinary ways. The boy and his rescuer are eventually seen as having a mutual relationship based on trust and understanding for one another. On the other side of the story, a government agent Kudro only sees Simon as a mistake and a threat to society. Representing modern stereotypic views, Kudro attempts to justify the break in the government code by attacking the boy’s demeanor. Simon is then portrayed as “retarded” instead of disabled through the words of Kudro. Simon was made out to be accident by the government agency attempting to hunt him down. These negative views towards disabled persons can be seen almost everywhere in the world.
In the end of the film, increasing tension and instability force the characters to change the way in which they live. In regards to Simon, he learned, despite his disability, to be trusting of others and new situations. Changing routine is a huge step for an Autistic individual. In a similar light, Art found that a better understanding of Simon’s Autism could only lead to better things. Without this common understanding, Art and Simon would not have been able to co-exist. This is in contrast to individuals with a stereotypical view on Autism that would not be able to comprehend Simon’s actions. Art is vaguely seen to posses a sense of accomplishment in the level of interaction between Simon and himself. This would have never been possible if he didn’t walk into the situation with an open minded approach.
Although the writer of this film presents a great amount knowledge of the Autistic individual, he further shows his understanding of the actual views of modern society. Having specific characters use words such as “mistake” and “retard” to identify with Simon’s disability presents the bias of today’s society. Despite this fact, the writer possesses a sense of acceptance for Simon’s disability and a drive to further understand it.
Mercury Rising is a fantastic film showing the effects of Autism in the everyday life of one young boy. The struggles are depicted so clearly and felt by the viewer in a way that can almost be seen as pity. Although the film does not go into depth as to the exact issues concerning Autism, it depicts life as “being” Autistic and gives insight into what it is actually like. Simon’s schooling, speech, and other actions are represented in the film to not only give the viewer a first person advantage of Autism, but also to help them develop an interest and understanding of the disability. Studies on Autism can only provide so much information for the common knowledge, but individual interest can provide societal acceptance and a better living for those that are Autistic.
Simon, who is a young Autistic boy in the story, is introduced in a manner that shows him to be independent in his ways. This characters portrayal of this disability is easily seen by actions of routine and repetition in the beginning of the story. Also due to Autism, his attention is only drawn to what he wishes to see and hear. As the viewer, it can be seen that Simon is comfortable in his everyday life. Simple repetitive actions, such as always having his mother prepare a cup of hot chocolate everyday after school, gave Simon the self indulgences that every person needs to remain at ease. Much due to his disability, the unknown and differences in life brought fear to him because it was the unknown that he had never experienced. This accurate representation of an Autistic boy gave a great deal of insight to the viewers showing how other characters interacted with the boy.
The writer of this movie must have known that his character, Simon, would be Autistic before the script was ever written. Simply stated, it would not be the same film without Simon having a disability of this magnitude. Portraying Simon as Autistic allowed the writer to show the boy’s different way of thought. Simon saw things different than the normal human being and without this he would have never been able to disable the National Security Code. The code, which was inserted into a puzzle book, was designed to be impossible to decipher by the ordinary human mind, but Simon saw it in a new light. With his Autism, he was able to have the code appear to him in a way that by no means represented rational human thought. The writer of this film built his character into the main theme of the story to create a one of a kind view of Autism.
Two ways of thinking, as seen in the film, depict the acceptance and understanding of Autism as well as the stereotypical point of view towards the disability. Simon’s parents, of course, embraced their son’s disability. An understanding of what their son dealt with led them to create an environment that was safe and easy for him to navigate and cope with. Art, an undercover FBI agent, also displayed an acceptance of the boy’s disability. After Simon’s parents are murdered in the midst of a government cover up, Art takes to Simon in a way that can only be described as unconventional. While trying to save the boy’s life, Art finds new meaning in what it is like to be Autistic. The transformation of how Art communicates with Simon shows that human interaction can evolve in extraordinary ways. The boy and his rescuer are eventually seen as having a mutual relationship based on trust and understanding for one another. On the other side of the story, a government agent Kudro only sees Simon as a mistake and a threat to society. Representing modern stereotypic views, Kudro attempts to justify the break in the government code by attacking the boy’s demeanor. Simon is then portrayed as “retarded” instead of disabled through the words of Kudro. Simon was made out to be accident by the government agency attempting to hunt him down. These negative views towards disabled persons can be seen almost everywhere in the world.
In the end of the film, increasing tension and instability force the characters to change the way in which they live. In regards to Simon, he learned, despite his disability, to be trusting of others and new situations. Changing routine is a huge step for an Autistic individual. In a similar light, Art found that a better understanding of Simon’s Autism could only lead to better things. Without this common understanding, Art and Simon would not have been able to co-exist. This is in contrast to individuals with a stereotypical view on Autism that would not be able to comprehend Simon’s actions. Art is vaguely seen to posses a sense of accomplishment in the level of interaction between Simon and himself. This would have never been possible if he didn’t walk into the situation with an open minded approach.
Although the writer of this film presents a great amount knowledge of the Autistic individual, he further shows his understanding of the actual views of modern society. Having specific characters use words such as “mistake” and “retard” to identify with Simon’s disability presents the bias of today’s society. Despite this fact, the writer possesses a sense of acceptance for Simon’s disability and a drive to further understand it.
Mercury Rising is a fantastic film showing the effects of Autism in the everyday life of one young boy. The struggles are depicted so clearly and felt by the viewer in a way that can almost be seen as pity. Although the film does not go into depth as to the exact issues concerning Autism, it depicts life as “being” Autistic and gives insight into what it is actually like. Simon’s schooling, speech, and other actions are represented in the film to not only give the viewer a first person advantage of Autism, but also to help them develop an interest and understanding of the disability. Studies on Autism can only provide so much information for the common knowledge, but individual interest can provide societal acceptance and a better living for those that are Autistic.
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