Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Temple Grandin

Did anyone else see the HBO premiere of Temple Grandin Saturday
night? Claire Danes stars in the true story of Grandin, an autistic
woman who became a leading scientist in humane livestock handling.
I was a little leery, since Danes is an okay actor, in my opinion, but
not brilliant. But, I'll have to admit, I was totally blown away by her
radiant performance of Temple Grandin. She charmingly captures
Grandin's sense of humor, as well as powerfully portraying her
frustrations and fears. I won't be surprised at all if she wins an
Emmy for her performance, because she deserves it.

This extraordinary film should be seen by anyone raising, working
with, or caring about autistic children. It gives its viewers an inside
look at what it means to live in a world of autism, with a mind that's
"different, but not less". Grandin describes blisteringly vivid images
that pop into her head faster than a Google search, that she describes
in her book as “full-color movies, complete with sound, which run
like a VCR tape in my head”, expertly portrayed in the movie, with
cut away scenes of what Grandin actually sees in her head. It's very
well done; powerful and touching. It gets two woolly socks up from me.
.

Temple Grandin is currently a Doctor of Animal Science at Colorado
State University, bestselling author, and consultant to the livestock
industry in animal behavior. As a person with high-functioning
autism, Grandin is also widely noted for her work in autism advocacy
and is the inventor of the Hug machine designed to calm
hypersensitive persons. Her mind is certainly anything but less.
.
Check HBO's schedule [HERE] for Temple Grandin on demand.

59 comments:

  1. I really wanted to see this, but we don't have HBO. I suspect it will show up on DVD?

    I've read a bit of Temple Grandin's writing. It's fascinating.

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  2. Oh, yes, I'm sure this will be out on DVD sooner than later, so keep an eye out for it!

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  3. What a fancy name for a real life person to have. I've not heard of this lady but I'm sure she will become very well known now.

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  4. I had seen that this was coming on, but we were doing something or other that kept me from seeing it--thanks for the heads up--I'll have to watch for it--they almost always play things again. Thanks, Willow--oh, and I don't know--I like her--I've thought she's not bad in several things I've seen her in.

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  5. Thanks once again for letting us know about the HBO presentation. I'm not much on TV, but love when there is programming worth giving my attention to. I'll be waiting for the arrival of the DVD.
    Also wanted to thank you for your encouraging comment yesterday. It really meant a lot to me.
    Best wishes for the new Magpie site.
    Look forward to reading.
    Cheers! xxoo

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  6. Only the book in France. Have a nice day !

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  7. Darn....I missed it but will make sure I see it. I have 2 autistic grandsons so I have a real interest in the topic. I am curious about her invention...hug machine...and will check that out online. It sounds like I need to get ahold of her book as well. Thanks for writing about her. I knew the show was coming on HBO but it slipped by me.

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  8. We read Animals in Translation- I have listened to her speak on NPR- Amazing brain! Remarkable insight.

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  9. Willow--we set the DVR that night and recorded it so now I can watch it more than once. Good show---incredible woman!!

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  10. There was a Horizon documentary about her a few years ago. It's all available on YouTube in bits. It's called The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow.

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  11. Thanks for the link, Jim. I'll check it out...

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  12. Both my SIL and my niece work with autistic children.

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  13. Oh, Temple Grandin is one of my heroines! I'm intrigued by and admire the fact that she used her insights into animal behavior to improve the lives of livestock.

    We've had the cable box unplugged for weeks now as we prepare to make our big move to our little Eden (this Friday! squeek!) so I didn't know about the movie. Thanks to you, I'm now looking forward to a leisurely viewing by the fire some evening in the not-too-distant future.

    stay warm!
    xox,
    Susan

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  14. She is really amazing-Dr. Grandin.
    She's currently in residence here at Cornell...and is giving a talk next week...(which, unfortunatly, I'm not be able to make).
    You have a wonderful blog. :)

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  15. Yes, I saw it and thought it was terrific. A good friend is actually one of the producers and I will pass along your mini-review. We are all very excited about the movie --

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  16. I didn't see the movie and had actually not heard of her. I will definetly look for more information on her, as it sounds like she does great work. I'm going to Google her now...

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  17. LadyCat, I included Temple Grandin's website link...just click on her name in the body of my post. :)

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  18. Elizabeth, tell your friend it was excellent! Brilliantly done. I was amazed.

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  19. Just wanted you to know I stumbled upon your blog and I really enjoy it. I love your photographs, and your posts.

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  20. Sounds like a very interesting and informative film. Thanks for sharing. The Bach

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  21. Hmm... I'd love to check this out, but I don't have HBO... or a tv for that matter. As soon as it's available on DVD I'll rent it! Thanks for the heads-up!

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  22. I read an article about Grandin years ago in The New Yorker. What a fascinating person!

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  23. I have heard about this film and, like you, wondered at Danes ability to pull off a character like Grandin.
    I MUST see it!!

    I met Dr. Grandin once as she spoke at a conference I attended. She is extraordinary in SO MANY ways.

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  24. I wanted to see this too! I'll be watching for it.

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  25. This is a great NPR interview from 2006.

    http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5165123

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  26. Thank you, Steveosgirl! Welcome and hope to see you again soon.

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  27. Dragon Lady, thanks for the link!

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  28. I just love the name. It sounds so grand and beautiful. I have not seen it as I don't have a TV, but once it's on DVD, I'll be sure to get it.

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  29. very cool. i just heard about this at our meeting on monday...cant wait to see it as one of the boys i work with is autistic...

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  30. NO, I didn't know they had this piece. I've read her book and it is fascinating. I try to look at the world, now and again, the way she does. She has helped my a lot with my animals.

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  31. This movie sounded really good on the commercials and your review makes me want to see it even more. Alas, we don't have HBO, but this is the first thing in a long time that has made me want to get it. :)

    Susan
    Bear Swamp Reflections

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  32. My three year old son is autistic. I don't talk about this on my own blog because my mother in law reads it. (long story) Samuel personifies the phrase, "different, not less." Thank you for sharing this.

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  33. Shoot. We don't have HBO or I would have watched this for sure. I heard a few interviews on NPR, one with Grandin, and another about the show. Heard an excerpt of Danes doing Grandin and was really impressed.

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  34. thank goodness for fresh air - gave me the head's up that it was going to be on so i recorded it - can't wait to have a block of time to watch it.

    fascinating story.

    talk about inspiring!! i may have first heard of her via terry gross' interview with her a few years ago - when her memoir 'thinking in pictures' came out.

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  35. Sounds fasinating. I am sorry
    I missed it. Temple is such a different name..I am going to search it out. Thank you ..

    yvonne

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  36. I was fortunate to hear Temple Grandin speak to a group of K-12 School board members a couple of years ago. She did a wonderful job of explaining her life and the people around her who helped her along the way - although a good deal of her success is she wasn't going to stop.

    I watched the show the other night and it was true to the story Temple shared with us. My husband was also impressed. We have saved the show so our "in college to be a teacher" daughter (who struggles with learning herself) can watch the show.

    As Temple and her mom put it "Being different doesn't mean being less."

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  37. I saw this the first night it began showing on HBO and was blown away. I think Claire Danes did a wonderful job. I couldn't sleep for excitement, actually. I loved it that much and it really made me think.

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  38. I felt exactly the same way, Country Girl, and I couldn't sleep after watching it, either!

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  39. I've heard Temple Grandin speak on four separate occasions. My son has Asperger's Syndrome, so we spent a lot of time doing the Autism lecture circuit when he was younger. The best conference we attended was in Toronto when we hit the Autism trifecta... Temple Grandin, Tony Atwood and Oliver Sacks... keynote speakers at the same conference. It was pretty awesome watching my 12 year old carry on a conversation with the three of them!

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  40. comments here as informative as the post--this looks like something to follow up on for sure.

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  41. I saw something on PBS about Dr. Grandin. The mind is a powerful thing!

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  42. Hey, that's hitting close to home in fact.

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  43. I usually wait to see things on DVD. Dexter and Heroes for example. Then I get hooked and watch them on TV.

    Stephen Tremp

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  44. I like Clare Danes.Apart from Glen Close and Meryl Streep she is the only younger Hollywood star that has some class.Makes a nice change from the usual cardboard cutouts!

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  45. Many, many thanks for this recommendation. My wife is working with an autistic child now so I will keep an eye out for when this film is shown in the UK. I'm with you, always thought of Claire Danes as OK, but nothing beyond that.

    Greetings from London.

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  48. HBO produce such really good telly.
    The series of which you speak will no doubt arrive here in Britain in the Autumn & I will look out for it.Thanks for "the Trailer"!

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  49. I kept wondering how vegans generally would react to the program. After all, what she did was make slaughtering animals easier and more profitable, and to make more meat for people to eat.

    Were there any reactions from vegetarians?

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  50. The slaughter house issue, in my opinion, was done with care and dignity. I would like to hear what others thought.

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  51. I've not heard of this lady but I'm sure she will become very well known now.

    Work from home India

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  52. I have read bout Ms. Grandin and find her to be an intriguing person. I have had the pleasure to work with children with Autism. The phrase, "Different not Less", is so accurate.

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  53. I didn't see the film, but I remember the Oliver Sacks essay in one of his books years ago. I bet Claire Danes did a great job. I think she is such a good actress.

    Did they feature her squeeze machine?

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  54. Yes, Reya, her squeeze machine is featured quite a bit in the movie. It's quirky and fascinating!

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  55. Shoot... we don't have HBO but when we did have it I generally loved their specials... DVD, here I come!

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  56. Fascinating. I've missed this but will look for it on dvd or Netflix. Thanks.

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  57. Oh! I watched this with my girls. I was swept away. It was so multilayered. I was intrigued by her friendship with the blind girl.. very interesting. Thanks for posting this!

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  58. Hi Willow,
    I have read the autobiography of Temple - by herself... I was "émue" troubled (excuse me my english is an old story!!!)
    Have a nice day,
    Best wishes from the South of France,
    Regards,
    Miren
    Temple signed the hope for everyone...

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  59. This sounds fascinating. I teach a little boy with autism, and his way of approaching the world (what he notices; what he obsesses about) is so interesting. How wonderful that Temple Grandin has been able to describe the workings of her brain -- not to mention making such contributions to her field.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)