Manny the Movie Guy Reviews Netflix's Stunning New Autism and Dance Documentary Room to Move

Hey everybody, Manny the Movie Guy here, and I have a super, super, super big recommendation for your Netflix queue this week. If you are looking for a documentary that is intimate, honest, visually brilliant, and deeply moving, you need to watch Room to Move, which is streaming right now.

The film tells the incredible story of acclaimed dancer and choreographer Jenn Freeman, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder late in life at age thirty-three. I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Jenn and the film's director, Alexander Hammer, to talk about how this beautiful project came together and how Jenn managed to channel her entire identity journey directly into her art.

The genesis of this documentary is actually pretty wild. Alex previously directed the project Expecting Amy, which followed comedian Amy Schumer during her pregnancy and the creation of a comedy show. Jenn told me that she was actually watching that specific film when she saw the discussion around adult neurodivergence and suddenly realized she was autistic herself. It completely blew her world open and led her to seek out a formal medical diagnosis.

What makes Room to Move an absolute masterpiece is how it looks and feels. Alex did an incredible job applying a kinetic and rhythmic understanding of dance to the actual editing of the movie. Instead of a typical, dry documentary, the sights, sounds, and editing beats are completely synchronized. When I spoke to Alex, he explained that they were both learning along the way, and he intentionally structured the film to serve as a direct, honest representation of how Jenn's brain works.

Ultimately, this film is a beautiful, informative, and entertaining look at the healing power of authentic self-expression and the heavy cost of trying to assimilate. Both Jenn and Alex told me they hope this project sparks viewers to look inward and approach themselves and those around them with a bit more empathy and grace. I loved talking to these two passionate artists, and I give Room to Move a massive congratulations and a huge thumbs up.

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