Tony Goldwyn might be more known for his work as an actor, but he’s also prolific as a director, having helmed a few feature films and several TV episodes. Although his latest effort in the director’s chair, the family dramedy Ezra, does suffer from some of its more conventional and melodramatic elements, it’s successful enough in its approach to be a likable, if forgettable, crowd-pleaser.
The movie follows a comedian who sets out on a life-changing road trip with his autistic son after facing decisions that could change both of their futures forever. It doesn’t reinvent the road movie subgenre, but it sets out to deliver a heartwarming and funny family dramedy, and it mostly succeeds in doing so.
Ezra deserves praise for acknowledging that autism is a spectrum, unlike many cinematic portrayals of the disorder. The characters often discuss how not every solution may be appropriate for Ezra because every kid — and their experience with autism — is different. However, any beneficial point the film might have made is undermined by its dependence on tropes.
Ezra is flawed but consistently likable
For one, we need to get past the idea that child endangerment is a good plot device to make a joke. But even if you can get past that, there are other issues. The movie seems to insist on “teaching” the character to break out of his shell, which feels like an incredibly regressive approach to a neurodivergent character. That’s not to mention the fact that the neurodivergent son’s purpose in the story is primarily to serve his father’s arc.
Still, the film manages to be mostly charming throughout its hour-and-forty-minute runtime. The stakes feel low — which is surprising considering that the FBI becomes involved in the conflict at one point — and there are very few meaningful consequences in a literal sense. However, it is easy to get invested in the characters and the effects the movie’s events have on their internal growth.
Much of the film’s success is also owed to the cast. Bobby Cannavale’s performance is very empathetic, balancing the dramatic and comedic moments quite well. Even when the script leans into the histrionic, Cannavale manages to rein it in effectively. Robert De Niro has a few memorable supporting actor moments. Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, and Whoopi Goldberg all show up in glorified cameos and make little impact. The only person who stands out negatively in the A-list cast is Rose Byrne, who gets along a little too well with Cannavale (her actual husband) for this role.
That said, the heart and soul of this movie is young actor William A. Fitzgerald, who is incredibly charming in his on-screen debut. One of the really impressive things about Ezra is how willing the established actors are to meet Fitzgerald on his level without condescending to him. Seeing how they, first and foremost, work to accentuate his talents is incredibly heartwarming.
Is Ezra Worth Watching?
Ezra is the type of movie that goes down smoothly, even though it probably shouldn’t. Writer Tony Spiridakis wants to say something about these potentially important themes, like the lack of a support system for parents of children with learning disabilities, but any potential this had to be a legitimate conversation starter is hampered by its apparent insistence to be a “feel-good” movie. If you’re willing to accept that it’s nothing more than fluff, it’s a passable way to spend 100 minutes, but to have attracted a cast with this pedigree, you’ll certainly be hoping for more.
Ezra hits theaters on May 31.
6/10
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