Review: Perfectly Normal (2016)

 

 100/100

From my ecstatic review of The Reason I Jump (2020), I think you have understood that I really like it when experimentalism is blended with real issues. Surrealism adds to the realism, and overall provides an essential experience. Especially with hard-to-understand conditions like autism (which I have), cinema is a really useful and effective medium to send an empowering message, although the film industry hasn't seemed to get it.

However, prior to The Reason I Jump, there is already a short film that tries to develop what the former would make use of. It comes from The New York Times' Op-Docs, a series of documentary shorts that tackle different subjects in a filmic and journalistic manner. In 2016, a 12-minute short called Perfectly Normal was included in its catalogue after a festival circuit. I have embedded the video above for you to watch this capsule work of genius.

The film looks into the interesting world of Jordan Kamnitzer, a person with Asperger's Syndrome (a sub of autism that has been erased in some places but is still used) and works in a pretty formal place, which may look bleak at first, but for Kamnitzer this is nothing bothersome, as he said to us: "Change is a really difficult thing to do." But beyond that, also lies a wholesome romantic relationship with a Tourette's woman named Toni Kent, awesome management of a pet shop, and wonderful piano performance. Sounds confusing? Well, that's because, on paper, it has to be. Like how you gotta understand autism by lending an eye, you have to understand the film by watching it.

In lieu of what some may tell you, nature is an ambivalent one. She can blanket you in peace, but also in fury towards the blanket herself. Kamnitzer and Kent feel this all this time, even if they don't see it. But it does affect them. Their surroundings, as aesthetic as they can be, feel bleak, with some visually-irritating loneliness and a sense of dissociation from their personality. Director Joris Debeij has instructed the cinematographer Nate Hurtsellers to evoke this feeling, and the execution is marvelous to watch. In a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, Hurtstellers uses a wide-angle and slightly-fisheye lens to evoke a sense of space and disorientation, aesthetic and dissociation, but most of all, showcasing two people who are just trying to make it through their lives in this tough, ignorant world. Some scenes also reenact an autism trigger; combined with the editing, it is fluid and accurate.

Layered with that is an NYT-esque narrative pace that just works well with the duration. Despite the continuous voiceovers by Kamnitzer throughout, it never feels like they're rushing or that they have a set running time. Of course, they had strived for a short duration, but 12 minutes in itself is already "too long" if you ask the professional alpha male filmmakers on YouTube. Debeij breaks this systemic rule, allowing for the film's atmosphere to be present without interference, providing at the very least a comprehensive essay film into the life of a person with autism (in the film, Kamnitzer says he prefers person-first language). Kamnitzer is such a wise and optimistic human being, that during the scene where Toni continuously teases him with "I love you"-s, you can laugh with Kamnitzer. You can connect with them, even if you still can't feel what it's like to be them. That's the point of documentaries. That's the point of films. And that's the point of an art. Debeij gets everything right.

Overall, I really enjoyed Perfectly Normal. With its beautiful cinematography and minimalist yet effective sound design, as well as a perfect (pun intended) plot, it is easily one of the most accessible autism shorts ever. All that insight is crammed into 12 minutes, yet without any technical disturbances. Of course, this isn't perfect: some scenes felt too long or too short, but no film is without its flaws, and the organicness of the tone soon overpowers your slight dissatisfaction. This is not a one-for-all resource on learning about autism, but it is a good audiovisual, entertaining, insightful start. May the fountain soar higher.

Perfectly Normal can also be viewed on YouTube