The Story Of Luke
Directed by: Alonso Mayo
Produced by: DViant Films
Written by: Alonso Mayo
Starring: Lou Taylor Pucci, Seth Green, Cary Elwes,
Kristin Bauer
Rating: PG13
Running Length: 95 minutes
Release Date: April 5, 2013
Recently, I had the good fortune to attend the opening night
of the Green Bay Film Festival. The opening film, The Story of Luke, had an
impressive attendance near 400. The impression, which remains, is not of the
crowd but he crowd’s reaction along with my own. Seldom does a film evoke both
tears and laughter as often as this film had.
The Story of Luke is account of an autistic young adult male
searching for manhood, love and independence. Born out of wedlock, left to be
raised by his grandparents by his mother, forgotten by the world and family
around him, Luke is left with few options. The story opens with the death and
funeral of his protective grandmother. His aging and sometimes slightly
off-center grandfather is soon entered into a partial care home by his son and
hard-edged daughter-in-law. Luke, left to live with same uncle, wife and two
teenage cousins is left with parting words by his grandfather “Get a job, find
a girl, live your own life. Be a man!”
Tear-felt sadness is evoked by Luke’s losses and lifestyle
related to his autistic condition. Comic relief is brought on by Luke’s
misunderstanding of suggestion and insult given by those around him. Both
emotions are the direct result of a very well written script, fine direction,
and outstanding acting by Lou Taylor Pucci playing Luke and an outstanding
supporting cast. Seth Green, playing Luke’s sarcastic, edgy boss, adds levity
as only Green can. Throughout Luke’s endeavors to find employment, love, and
independence the viewer is struck by the perils of autism while being
entertained by a playful, yet strong-messaged script.
This is a rare and beautiful movie giving the message of
what an autistic life can be like while providing the viewer with an
entertaining viewpoint. As entertainment, it is far too seldom that a movie can
evoke both tears and laughter, expressions so often left for quick selling
violence, sex and cruelty. This alone makes The Story Of Luke well worth the
price of admission.
Scott S Mertens
5 tocks
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