Learning You Review: Autism Road Trip Drama Struggles with Sappy Execution
Learning You, a new family drama about a father and his autistic son, attempts to tackle themes of acceptance and love but ultimately falters under the weight of its own sanctimonious messaging and poor execution. The film, which follows Ty (John Wells) and his son Elijah (played by Reece Turley and Caleb Milby), opens with a disclaimer acknowledging the wide autism spectrum, yet its portrayal feels clichéd and overly sentimental.
A Plot Mired in Melodrama
The story begins with Elijah experiencing a violent meltdown that destroys the family's Christmas decorations. His father Ty tries to comfort him with the help of a stuffed polar bear named Nook. Flash forward seven years, and Elijah is in a secure hospital, while his mother Pam (Layla Cushman) seeks to offload him onto the state. Ty, struggling with his career as an architect, contemplates suicide and starts seeing a lifesize version of Nook (Al Snow in a plushie costume), reminiscent of a family-friendly Ted.
On Nook's advice, Ty takes Elijah on an unscheduled Christmas road trip to the South Carolina shore, sparking fury from Pam. Meanwhile, Christian philanthropist Reggie Sinclair (Daniel Roebuck) pressures Ty to finish designs for an arena, but softens upon seeing Instagram posts of the trip, as he too has an autistic son.
Critical Flaws in Storytelling
Director Tyler Sansom and the screenwriting team struggle to weave these plotlines together coherently. Characters often move between situations without logical motivation, and the dialogue is frequently dreadful, exacerbating weak performances. The film's heart may be in the right place, but its execution is a slog, bloated with religious overtones that feel forced rather than meaningful.
Despite these issues, Learning You deserves some credit for attempting to depict more challenged autistic individuals, often labeled as "low functioning," and for donating proceeds to support carers. However, its sappy and ill-conceived narrative makes it hard to bear for viewers, even those with personal connections to autism.
The film releases in UK and Irish cinemas from 13 March, but it may only appeal to those willing to overlook its significant flaws in favor of its charitable intentions.
