Directed by: Tony Goldwyn
Starring: Bobby Cannavale, William A. Fitzgerald, Rose Byrne, Robert DeNiro, Tony Goldwyn, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson, Vera Farmiga
The Ezra of the title of Tony Goldwyn's road movie is an autistic child taken on a cross-country ride to Los Angeles by his stand-up comedian father Max (Cannavale), who will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live. In the beginning of Ezra, Ezra (Fitzgerald) is having trouble adapting at school and will soon be placed in a different one. Ezra's mother Jenna (Bryne), approves of the move, while Max thinks it will ultimately harm him. Ezra, who lives with Jenna, sneaks into his bedroom one night and takes him on the road. Neither Jenna nor Max's father Stan (DeNiro) can reach him, and soon the police and the FBI are called. Now, Max is a fugitive with Ezra not fully understanding what is happening.
Max and Ezra bond as expected during the trip where they elude the authorities long enough to assure they do. Ezra, however, becomes more about Max's dreams than it does Ezra's character. For most of the time, Ezra takes a back seat to Max and the adults who are trying to get him home. Why not have Max steal a car or punch someone then hit the road, and leave Ezra out of it altogether? Ezra is based on a true story, but while the movie contains substantial performances by brilliant actors, it never achieves liftoff.
We find ourselves hoping that Max can make it to Jimmy Kimmel for his big break more so than he patches things up with Ezra. We care somewhat, but only to a certain point. Rain Man it isn't.
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