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The Sunshine Boy

Play trailer Poster for The Sunshine Boy 2009 1h 42m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Unwilling to accept a gloomy prognosis for her autistic son, Keli, Margrét begins a journey from Iceland to the United States for proper treatment. Seeking answers about the cause of his complex and mysterious condition, Margrét comes into contact with foreign cultures and challenging new information about her son. In a documentary that's rich with beautiful visuals from Margrét's journey, director Fridrik Thor Fridriksson tells a powerful story of love and discovery.

Critics Reviews

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Joseph Jon Lanthier Slant Magazine 09/26/2010
2.5/4
A relatively benign probe into what is steadily becoming our species' most alarming epidemic. Go to Full Review Andy Webster New York Times 09/24/2010
3/5
There is no pat resolution here, but the sight of a mother finally able to connect with her child across autism's chasm is more than stirring. Go to Full Review Michael Ordoña Los Angeles Times 09/24/2010
4/5
It's heart-rending to watch families struggle mightily to simply connect with stricken kids. Even skeptical viewers (such as this one) will be amazed, though, to see the instances of progress captured in this beautifully shot, fascinating film. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 12/04/2024
2.5/4
...an effective primer into the world of autism... Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 08/30/2020
2.5/4.0
Where this doc primarily succeeds is in painting a broad picture of the true spectrum of autism rather than the often publicized stereotypes. Go to Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice 10/27/2010
4/5
An incredibly informative and emotionally moving documentary about the challenges and new developments in our understanding of autism. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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06/28/2015 This documentary follows a mother whose son has non verbal Autism as she searches the globe for possible treatments that might help her communicate with him. It is a fascinating film and very touching, but it lagged at times. See more 11/30/2014 Informative & Inspirational. Autism Is Not What Is Just Upon The Surface, External Behaviour. Without The Deeper ASD Genious "We Wouldn't Even Have These Giant Leaps In Technology" - Temple Grandin. It's Not 'Normal', Yes...But It Most Definely Is Beauty In The Mind Expanding Upon Itself With Infinite Possibilities. See more 08/18/2014 This film is mis-named, but beyond that, it is an interesting look into the life of a family with a son who is seemingly unable to communicate through his autism. The encounters the mother has with various families and service providers is informative, and her interview with Temple Grandin is engaging. See more 04/29/2011 This movie is so incredible! It shows the affects of autism on both the children and their family, as well as shows the different ways to help some of these non verbal children communicate. Dr. Temple Grandin makes an appearance and it's amazing how intelligent she is! See more 04/11/2011 It was that 1/150 children were born with Autism when this movie was made in 2009. Now 2 years later, it is 1 of every 110. 80% of marriages between parents of autistic children end in divorce. I loved the interviews with Temple Grandin. She is just so smart and funny. Another good Icelandic documentary. It was also cool to see places I've been to and people and programs I've read about. Also Soma at HALO (Helping Autism through Learning and Outreach) is awesome. I was inspired by her and the Rapid Prompting Method for improving academic success and communication for persons with autism and similar disorders. See more 09/26/2010 ma son jeremiah iz autistic n i wud very much luv 2 c dizz film..... See more Read all reviews
The Sunshine Boy

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Cast & Crew

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Friðrik Þór Friðriksson

Director

Kate Winslet

Narrator

Margret Dagmar Ericsdottir

Producer

Kristín Ólafsdóttir

Executive Producer

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The Sunshine Boy

The Sunshine Boy (2009) The Sunshine Boy (2009) The Sunshine Boy (2009) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Unwilling to accept a gloomy prognosis for her autistic son, Keli, Margrét begins a journey from Iceland to the United States for proper treatment. Seeking answers about the cause of his complex and mysterious condition, Margrét comes into contact with foreign cultures and challenging new information about her son. In a documentary that's rich with beautiful visuals from Margrét's journey, director Fridrik Thor Fridriksson tells a powerful story of love and discovery.
Director
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson
Producer
Margret Dagmar Ericsdottir
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 7, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.8K
Runtime
1h 42m