Robert De Niro has opened up about his personal connection to his latest movie, "Ezra," a comedy-drama directed by Tony Goldwyn. The film, which explores the challenges of raising a child with autism, resonated deeply with De Niro, who has a son with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
In "Ezra," De Niro plays Stan, the grandfather of the titular character. The story follows Max Brandel, a stand-up comedian played by Bobby Cannavale, as he navigates the difficulties of co-parenting his autistic son, Ezra, with his ex-wife, Jenna. Inspired by the life of the film’s writer, Tony Spiridakis, "Ezra" aims to shed light on the realities of raising a child with autism.
At the film’s New York premiere, De Niro shared why he felt compelled to be part of this project. "I have a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder," he said, referring to his son, Elliot De Niro. "There were things in the script that needed to be addressed, and I felt it was important to help tell this story." De Niro emphasized that the film was made with "a lot of love and hard work" by everyone involved.
Tony Spiridakis, the writer of "Ezra," drew from his own experiences raising a child with autism. He began writing about autism after realizing how little he knew about the disorder and the numerous challenges he faced. "I realized I didn’t know anything about autism," Spiridakis said. "I thought I had to write this down because every day was a surprise."
Spiridakis acknowledged making many mistakes as a father and wanted to portray these struggles authentically. "I made so many mistakes as a father. I wanted to show the mistakes of being a father to an autistic child," he admitted. His goal was to create a film that honestly depicted the ups and downs of raising a child with autism, highlighting the profound love and learning involved.
"Ezra" features a talented ensemble cast, including William Fitzgerald, Rose Byrne, Claire Danes, Scott Foley, Bellamy Young, Dianna Agron, Peter Friedman, Peter Gallagher, Asher Grodman, and Odelya Halevi. Released on May 31, 2024, the movie seeks to destigmatize autism and offer an emotional look at a father's deep love for his child.
De Niro’s involvement in "Ezra" not only brings star power to the film but also underscores the importance of raising awareness about autism. By sharing his personal connection to the subject, De Niro hopes to contribute to a better understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the experiences of families navigating this journey.
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