The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia (FILM REVIEW)
The Big Picture:
Rethinking Dyslexia
Film Review
by Kam Williams
Uplifting Documentary Examines Dyslexia from Fresh Perspective
Some of the most brilliant people
I’ve ever interviewed have been dyslexic, including film directors like Bryan
Singer (The Usual Suspects), Joe Wright (Anna Karenina) and Guy Ritchie
(Snatch), as well as matinee idol Channing Tatum, who opened up to me about the
pain he felt about his grades in school until he found fulfillment in a number
of artistic pursuits such as dance, sculpting, painting, photography, and of
course, acting.
Each of the aforementioned is a
nonconformist with a knack for thinking out of the box, a trait also shared by
most of the subjects of The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia. Among the icons
who appear in this enlightening documentary directed by James Redford are self-made,
billionaire Richard Branson, investment house CEO Charles Schwab, California
Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, and A-list attorney David Boies.
After hearing them weigh-in about
their supposed affliction, one can’t help but wonder whether dyslexia might actually
be considered by some to be a blessing. Boies points out his learning
disability’s positive correlation with creativity, which helps explain why so
many born with it have blossomed in unique fashion in their respective fields. Branson
says dyslexics are trustworthy because “We say what we mean,” while Newsom
believes their brains enjoy the advantage of being able to see “The Big
Picture.”
Besides the rich and famous, the
film focuses on youngsters (in grammar school, junior high, high school and
college) and their parents as they share what life is like after a diagnosis of
dyslexia. What’s abundantly clear is that each has managed to overcome the
combination of low expectations and frustrations with spelling and reading to
prove themselves capable of competing with classmates on the highest level, so
long as some slight accommodations are made which take their condition into
consideration.
An admirably informative and
empathetic effort clearing up common misconceptions, essentially explaining
that dyslexia is not a character flaw but merely a neurological issue affecting
as many as one out of five individuals.
Excellent
(4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 60 minutes
Distributor: Shadow
Creek Films / HBO Films
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