Thomas(Rhys Wakefield) is trying his best to have a normal adolescence but his autistic older brother Charlie(Luke Ford) does a great job at making sure things are anything but “normal.” The wild Mollison household gets even more wild when their pregnant mother (Toni Collette) is put on bed rest. The film, written by Elissa Down and Jimmy Jack, beautifully depicts the struggles that go along with having an autistic family member. There are moments that break your heart, make you laugh and piss you off, all of which feel very real thanks to the talented cast. The Black Balloon was released in the US in December 2008 and was widely acclaimed both in Australia and in the United States, taking home 6 AFI Awards including Best Film.
Who killed Wellington? This is the question that spurs Mark Haddon’s debut novel on a wild murder mystery adventure. Wellington is Mrs. Shears dog, and when her neighbor Christopher is found standing next to the dead dog he becomes a suspect in Wellington’s murder. No charges are pressed but Christopher, knowing it was not he who committed such a crime, sets off in search for the true culprit.
The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time is told from the perspective of Christopher, a fifteen year old boy with Autism. The author does a particularly fascinating job portraying this voice of character. Christopher’s story is not only entertaining but educational, it allows the reader a unique chance to experience life through the eyes of someone with autism. It might feel slightly awkward at first but a few chapters in the plot builds and evolves leaving you restless to find out what happens next.
