The Story of Luke (2013)

Best movie of this year hands down!

As Good As It Gets

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This is a real gem of a movie, very funny but also very real. We found it on Netflix streaming movies.Lou Taylor Pucci is 25-yr-old Luke who has one of the forms of autism. He is very bright but also very socially awkward, partly because his grandmother took him out of special school to home school him, and wanted him to take his time, getting a high school diploma in his 20s.His mother had abandoned him to her parents, his grandparents, when he was a young boy. But now, with grandma deceased and grandpa exhibiting signs of early dementia, Luke is forced to go with his Uncle Paul's family.Cary Elwes is very appropriate as Uncle Paul, married to Kristin Bauer van Straten as Aunt Cindy. They have two teenagers, Cousin Brad and Cousin Megan. But aunt and uncle aren't getting along too well, partly because she is such a beotch, and Luke overhears them fussing about him having to live there. So Luke decides he will just have to get a job so that he can be self-sufficient.All this creates many interesting situations and Luke proves that he is very adaptable. He takes the advice seriously, a man doesn't whine he figures out what needs to be done and he does it. He learns the fine art of saying things that will make other people more receptive, and after some trial period lands a job.I can't say enough about how well Pucci creates the character of Luke, always playing him just right, not for sympathy but in recognition of his unique talents and perspectives. A fine entertaining movie.Filmed in Sault St Marie Michigan and Canada.

Films that tackle difficult subject matter, particularly mental or psychological issues, require a near-flawless performance from the leading role, and lackluster talent and delivery can kill these genres before they even hit the production room.This movie is a prime example. Luke, our protagonist, possesses all the characteristics one might expect from a young autistic man living with his grandparents: he is neurotic, obsessive, doesn't like to be crowded (physically or in conversation), committed to ritual, etc. Unfortunately, viewers have been spoiled watching Dustin Hoffman and Sean Penn deliver the same character, but with incomparable form, and when a C-list actor takes the reins of a role like this, he better have the supporting cast, script, and director to back it all up. None of that was present. The protagonist is quickly thrown to the wolves after he is forced out of the comfortable home he has known his whole life. Cary Elwes plays his uncle, but he struggles through the easiest role a 40-something can play: the typified stay-at-work dad who has grown apart from his plastic-faced-bitch-of-a-wife. As Luke is forced into a new living situation with his forgotten aunt and cousins, viewers sense the overplayed hostility toward Luke, which is clearly a result of the writers establishing early friction in order to execute the feel-good turnaround later. Simple apathy would have sufficed. If that weren't contrived enough, the casting team brought in Seth Green to try and salvage Luke's scenes outside the home. As Luke's socially incapable temp manager, Green is clearly a much more experienced actor and is worth a few laughs. Still, as the plot develops he turns from Luke's superior to Luke's disciple, in a way, and considering the gap in acting talent, this plot strategy doesn't hold much water. Moreover, Green basically plays the same role he always does - a spoiled, red- head, loud-mouthed brat and self-possessed computer nerd. An actor better be talented if he's going to play the same role for two decades.All in all, the acting keeps the viewer thinking to himself, "Wait a minute, people don't behave like this," and in the end it was probably the fault of the writers, as well as the director for letting it slide. There were few cinematographic tricks to make the film "artistic," so we're left with something trying to be autisitic. As too many films have shown us, doing autism is difficult, and when you fail, you fail hard.The film gets 4 stars for tackling important subject matter and finishing with a positive note that viewers probably weren't expecting. However, 96 minutes can be better spent watching or doing something else.

Just finished watching this flick for the 2nd time and "Luke" and was still captivated.I immediately got all the movies I could find with Lou in them and due to bad parts in bad movies he would always remain a bit part actor in flop movies...How Hollywood ignored this movie and Lou's performance is beyond me...Could compare this flick to "Forrest Gump"...so have a box of tissues at hand.I know I'll be watching this a 3rd time soon.There's so much crap out there and its a mystery how some get financing The supporting cast does well to set the stage for Luke...Good writing, editing, etc make this a very watchable flick...SO, if you get the chance, pick of this flick and enjoy...you'll be glad you did.

I was lucky enough to see this film at the Maryland International Film Festival in Hagerstown MD. I am not sure how it qualified as international - maybe because it was filmed in Canada?? In any case this is a sweet story of a man who is trying to find his way in the world. He doesn't fit in because of his autism and being sheltered by his grandparents. Watching him progress through the movie was inspiring. I laughed quite a bit and even shed a tear near the end. I am not familiar with the actor who plays Luke but he did an incredible job. I wasn't expecting to see Seth Green and Cary Elwes in an independent movie at an international film fest but they both did a great job. Seth Greens character is a little hard to take at first because he is unkind to the lead. The movie has a great story that makes you feel better after you see. I recommend seeing it if you have the chance. It was mentioned at the festival that the film may get picked up for distribution which would be great. Very deserving.