Who Speaks for Charlie?

If this film is not a wake up call for the American healthcare system, then I'm not sure what is!

Who Speaks for Charlie tells the story of Eileen Lamb and her son, Charlie Lamb. Both of our protagonists are autistic; Eileen with level 1 and Charlie with level 3 autism. The filmmaker tells this unique story in an approachable and relatable manner. As a parent, it is so impactful and frankly emotional to watch Eileen literally battle for better services for her son. Eileen's love for her son is something that made me one of many in the theatre to be struck with frustration and grief at the state of disability services in Texas.

From a technical standpoint, the film's two primary locations juxtaposed each other well. The warm hues inside the Lamb family home was welcoming and familiar, while the more undersaturated tones in the ABA center seemed to be a reminder that while this is an important place for Charlie to learn life skills, it is ultimately a controlled environment, and not the real world.

This is a must see on the film festival circuit!