Watch Kids' Reviews of
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BOY, A

I love the rawness of this film and appreciate that it takes a glimpse of the reality this boy lives. I also like that it shows the perspectives of the boy's sister and his mom as well. It is very sad in some ways, yet it shows the dynamics of this family quite well. Daan lives with autism and, it is not only difficult for him, but it effects his family very profoundly also. The use of close-ups show how the boy is very sensory sensitive and how he likes to feel things. The close-ups show things such as the grain in the rocks he picks up and feels in his hands and the carpet he runs through his fingers. There is music only at poignant times of major frustration and it is loud confusing rock music that denotes how the intensity of things, even trivial things, upset the boy. The lack of music elsewhere intensifies what he feels, even when he is simply feeling the touch of things. The characters are fitted very well with the actors. There is not a lot of dialogue at times and the expressions and actions are very well done by all. Daan does not have expressions like a normal child and they are done very well. The reaction expressions, especially the subtle ones from Millie and their mom are on point. The message of the film is that you never know what people are dealing with behind closed doors and how difficult their situation is, until you have actually experienced it. I would never have known the actual intensity of experiencing what this family experiences without watching this film. My favorite part is when the little girl sings her brother the song. I liked that, because she was very upset and sad right before that and blamed her brother for her bird's death. Then, she seems to understand that it is his condition and she wants to help him. I give A Say in the Life of a Boy 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Melissa M., KIDS FIRST! Adult juror.

I love the rawness of this film and appreciate that it takes a glimpse of the reality this boy lives. I also like that it shows the perspectives of the boy's sister and his mom as well. It is very sad in some ways, yet it shows the dynamics of this family quite well. Daan lives with autism and, it is not only difficult for him, but it effects his family very profoundly also. The use of close-ups show how the boy is very sensory sensitive and how he likes to feel things. The close-ups show things such as the grain in the rocks he picks up and feels in his hands and the carpet he runs through his fingers. There is music only at poignant times of major frustration and it is loud confusing rock music that denotes how the intensity of things, even trivial things, upset the boy. The lack of music elsewhere intensifies what he feels, even when he is simply feeling the touch of things. The characters are fitted very well with the actors. There is not a lot of dialogue at times and the expressions and actions are very well done by all. Daan does not have expressions like a normal child and they are done very well. The reaction expressions, especially the subtle ones from Millie and their mom are on point. The message of the film is that you never know what people are dealing with behind closed doors and how difficult their situation is, until you have actually experienced it. I would never have known the actual intensity of experiencing what this family experiences without watching this film. My favorite part is when the little girl sings her brother the song. I liked that, because she was very upset and sad right before that and blamed her brother for her bird's death. Then, she seems to understand that it is his condition and she wants to help him. I give A Say in the Life of a Boy 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 to 18, plus adults. Reviewed by Melissa M., KIDS FIRST! Adult juror.

Autistic boy Daan has a unique perspective on the world. His little sister Millie struggles with his sometimes strange behavior and the lack of attention she gets from their single mother. When Daan accidentally kills her pet bird, emotions overflow - will Millie be able to be there for her brother despite it all? The film encounters the child protagonists at eye level and allows room for both perspectives.