Finding a harmonious balance between caring for the needs of others and addressing one's own happiness and well-being can be a difficult tightrope to traverse. So it is for those who attend to the needs of those with high-maintenance caregiving requirements, such as those afflicted with autism. For one family caring for a teenage autistic son (Jonathan Simao) - a high-functioning, extremely gifted but largely nonverbal illustrator - it takes a lot. It also takes a lot away from their own lives, often prompting profound feelings of guilt when they pursue initiatives of their own. That's especially true when the artistic savant's older sister (Willow Shields) goes away to college and begins pursuing a same-sex relationship with a new love interest (Ava Capri), actions that make her feel as though she's selfishly abandoned her brother's needs. So how do she and her parents (Elizabeth Mitchell, Lochlyn Munro) cope with these circumstances? That's what writer-director Connie Cocchia's debut feature beautifully and sensitively examines, presenting viewers with a compelling, heartfelt story in which loving but hard choices must be made to take care of everyone's needs under stressful conditions. Beautifully filmed, skillfully edited through a carefully assembled series of flashbacks and backed by a deftly compiled soundtrack, this tale is effectively brought to life by its superb ensemble cast, including all of the family members and a caring but no-nonsense social worker (Sharon Taylor). The film evokes genuine emotions and does so with an organic authenticity, never becoming schmaltzy or clichéd, quite a coup for a first-time feature filmmaker. "When Time Got Louder" is one of those little-known gems that has largely flown beneath the radar, primarily playing the film festival circuit, but, thankfully, it's now available for streaming - and a well-worthwhile viewing choice at that.
4 Reviews
My heart
jashnakapadia-9098824 July 2022
This movie is so heartbreaking, the love they all share, the oldest daughter moving away, who's one of the few people gets the brother. A mom who's trying to fill the void of a daughter in her son's life, and trying her best to take care of the son, and a father; who is trying his best to provide emotional and financial support. Sister will never be able to live a life guilt free when she's away.
( >
alistairdalmeida7 August 2022
A movie with plenty of heart. I'm really glad I came across this movie. Took a few elements from the Atypical show and played it well to fit it into a movie. The Mom, Dad and the kids were all lovely, the dynamic felt real, hit deep, provided several emotional breakthroughs for me throughout. The scene where Tish explains Autism to kid Abbie and the one from the 3rd act where Abbie was hurting along with Kayden were particularly heartbreaking and elucidated all the decisions she took through the movie. A small part I wish they could've added was a 2-3 year flash forward with Abbie's career all figured out & successful, her & Karly at home getting to start work on the TV series dream with Kayden, and Abbie's parents watching them with faces full of elated joy and pride. Just a headcannon ending that I figured would actually play really well with the plot :)
Almost
hailtotheredskins12 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I'm in the mental health field and worked with autistic kids. Most viewers of this movie would probably either be healthcare people or families greatly impacted by the spectrum child.
I watched this movie right up to the 1 hrs 28 min and 53 second mark - the bus scene. I didn't stop watching because it was uncomfortable. It certainly was, but that's not it. I stopped because it jumped into the basic pool. The writer did a great job at depicting what life is like for families dealing with someone high on the spectrum. No earthquakes. No monsters. No abduction. No asteroid. No murder (at least I think so).
Then in the last twenty minutes, it was like they got scared or the Hollywood conditioning kicked in. They wedged in a few antagonists that didn't fit. The other people on the bus suddenly became apathetic and out of touch zombies just watching with mouths open.
The kid boarded the bus right after mom and dad had a disagreement about him riding alone even though he did it the recent past. Dad wanted to the son to ride the bus to get groceries for his sister's return home from Fall semester. Mom, for some forced reason, wasn't having it. Dad, usually level headed, was now unreasonable in order to create this horrendous, "I told you so," moment.
This wasn't necessary. I was hoping the movie would wind down and being proud it illuminated the life someone with autism faces and life a family has to deal with day in and day out. It's hard. Parents and siblings can harbor anger putting their lives on hold. The angst of going to a grocery store with him can be exhausting. They can talk about the guilt of wanting to put a child in a group home. The guilt of wondering what they did wrong biologically to give birth to an autistic child. Scared about his life after they die. Guilt about their awesome daughter being so amazing and wondering what they didn't provide her by being so involved with her brother. That would have been authentic, difficult, but typical conversations for people.
These moments should have been the true gut wrenching scenes.
Instead, it created a crowded bus and some thugs. Shame on you. At least the writers didn't do the predictable, tired, over-played, Manhattan backdrop and parents with million dollar careers. They weren't that affected.
Well acted by all. Mostly well written.
I watched this movie right up to the 1 hrs 28 min and 53 second mark - the bus scene. I didn't stop watching because it was uncomfortable. It certainly was, but that's not it. I stopped because it jumped into the basic pool. The writer did a great job at depicting what life is like for families dealing with someone high on the spectrum. No earthquakes. No monsters. No abduction. No asteroid. No murder (at least I think so).
Then in the last twenty minutes, it was like they got scared or the Hollywood conditioning kicked in. They wedged in a few antagonists that didn't fit. The other people on the bus suddenly became apathetic and out of touch zombies just watching with mouths open.
The kid boarded the bus right after mom and dad had a disagreement about him riding alone even though he did it the recent past. Dad wanted to the son to ride the bus to get groceries for his sister's return home from Fall semester. Mom, for some forced reason, wasn't having it. Dad, usually level headed, was now unreasonable in order to create this horrendous, "I told you so," moment.
This wasn't necessary. I was hoping the movie would wind down and being proud it illuminated the life someone with autism faces and life a family has to deal with day in and day out. It's hard. Parents and siblings can harbor anger putting their lives on hold. The angst of going to a grocery store with him can be exhausting. They can talk about the guilt of wanting to put a child in a group home. The guilt of wondering what they did wrong biologically to give birth to an autistic child. Scared about his life after they die. Guilt about their awesome daughter being so amazing and wondering what they didn't provide her by being so involved with her brother. That would have been authentic, difficult, but typical conversations for people.
These moments should have been the true gut wrenching scenes.
Instead, it created a crowded bus and some thugs. Shame on you. At least the writers didn't do the predictable, tired, over-played, Manhattan backdrop and parents with million dollar careers. They weren't that affected.
Well acted by all. Mostly well written.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
