X + Y
2015 review number 49:
X + Y: (Drama): 83 out of 100: If you like heartwarming, independent British releases then this is the film for you. It features a compelling storyline, a solid screenplay that provides just the right dose of emotion, and winning and touching performances that will allow you to empathise with the characters.
Asa Butterfield stars as Nathan who is on the spectrum. He is a socially awkward teenager who finds it difficult to connect with anyone, including his mother (Sally Hawkins). She is forced to raise him on her own from a young age after her husband dies in a car accident which had Nathan in the passenger seat. Without his beloved father, Nathan becomes withdrawn in his own world until he is taught by high school teacher Mr. Humphreys (Rafe Spall). He's also a bit of a social misfit gifted in Mathematics just like Nathan, so the two work together to try to gain Nathan a place in the Maths International Olympiad. There are only six places in the British squad and the team of qualifiers must be whittled down in Taiwan. This is where Nathan encounters his first love in Zhang Mei (Jo Yang).
There is the right balance of humour and drama in the plot. You feel for Nathan's situation without being hit over the head with a manipulating screenplay or story. It's engaging from beginning to end as you want to know what happens to all the characters. The cast is superbly led by Butterfield who has a big future ahead of him. Hawkins is dependable as ever playing the mother searching for the love of her son and also trying to move on with her romantic life after the death of her husband. Spall provides some humorous touches and there's also a great turn by Marsan who is one of England's leading character actors.
The scenes in Taiwan when the English children mingle with the Chinese students are a delight. Not only do you witness some cultural differences but the settings provide for some excellent views of the country. Taiwan seems to be the new Hong Kong with more movies in recent years being filmed there and with good reason as the country has plenty to offer visually.
When the plot returns to England, Zhang Mei stays with Nathan and his mother as part of the accommodation arrangements of the Olympiad. This is where they discover their love for each other and this plays a pivotal role in the Olympiad outcome. These scenes and handled sensitively and delicately, a tribute to the direction by Morgan Matthews, his first effort as a feature film director after 11 years of making documentaries.
"X + Y" is an excellent character study and demonstrates that movies featuring characters with a mental illness don't need to resort to melodrama to elicit the viewer's emotions. Do yourself a favour and see for yourself why this movie has a 100% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website.
Starring Asa Butterfield, Sally Hawkins, Rafe Spall and Eddie Marsan
(111 minutes)
Parental Advice: Adult themes and drug use
Additional scene during or after movie: No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWAS-q2PpnA (Movie trailer)
(Reviewed on Tuesday 7th April, 2015)
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