Watch Asperger's Are Us

Asperger's Are Us is a 2016 documentary film directed by Alex Lehmann, which features a comedy troupe of the same name composed of young men with Asperger's syndrome. The film follows the group as they prepare for their final performance, which will also be their last show as a group, and explores their experiences with Asperger's and their unique sense of humor.

The film opens with the members of Asperger's Are Us introducing themselves and describing their condition. Noah Britton, Ethan Finlan, Jack Hanke, and New Michael Ingemi met each other as teenagers at a summer camp for kids with Asperger's, and later formed their own comedy troupe. Asperger's is a condition on the autism spectrum that affects social interaction and communication skills, as well as causing repetitive behaviors and obsessive interests.

The documentary follows the group as they prepare for a final performance in their hometown of Boston. They are excited and nervous, and the film does an excellent job of capturing their personalities and quirks. Britton is the group's leader and the most talkative member, while Finlan is more reserved and introspective. Hanke is a bit of a practical joker and enjoys making the others laugh, while Ingemi is very artistic and often incorporates his drawings and animations into the group's performances.

Throughout the film, the members of Asperger's Are Us discuss their condition and the challenges they face as individuals with autism trying to navigate a neurotypical world. They talk about their strong interests (Ingemi is particularly fascinated by trains) and how they often struggle with small talk and social cues. However, they also express pride in their condition and their ability to see things in a unique way.

The group's comedy is also a focus of the film, and we see several examples of their performances throughout. Asperger's Are Us's humor is often absurdist and relies heavily on wordplay and puns. They are also not afraid to tackle darker or more taboo subjects, such as suicide and mental illness, in their sketches. While some might find their humor off-putting or confusing, the film does an excellent job of showing how much the group's comedy means to them and how it has helped them connect with each other and the world around them.

As the film progresses, the members of Asperger's Are Us also discuss their plans for the future. Some members are considering college or pursuing other interests, while others are unsure. The group's final performance is an emotional one, both for the members on stage and for the audience watching. The film manages to capture the bittersweet nature of the moment without feeling maudlin or manipulative.

Overall, Asperger's Are Us is a thoughtful and entertaining documentary that sheds light on the experiences of individuals with Asperger's syndrome. The film does an excellent job of balancing humor and pathos, and the members of the comedy troupe are all likable and engaging. Whether you have personal experience with Asperger's or are just interested in learning more, Asperger's Are Us is well worth a watch.

Asperger's Are Us is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.