Let's just start by saying that 'going to the movies' was never really something I did with family and friends. There was a quieter theater by where we used to live that I would go to at times, but it was still kind of loud. Loud enough to discourage frequent movie-going. When we moved, that became an even bigger problem. Movies had just naturally been getting louder and louder, and finding a place for the family to go (even if just once a year) seemed unlikely if not impossible.
Then, one or two years later, we stumbled upon AMC's Sensory Friendly Films program. It was amazing. Select movies were shown at a low sound, medium light level, and high tolerance for talking/moving around/other such behavior. The lights and movement limitation parts of movie theaters never really bothered me. The noise, however, was unmanageable. This program allowed me to see certain movies while they were still in the theaters; BEFORE they came out to DVD where I could hopefully rent them. I loved it. The only problem was that I still couldn't go with friends. I don't tell anybody besides family about my AS, and even if I did (which I never, ever would!) they wouldn't exactly be happy about going to a low-key, 10 am show. It wasn't the optimum situation, but it was a start.
Then came The Muppets.
I have to preface the following with this statement: I’m not a big fan of the original Muppet TV show. I don’t hate it; I just don’t love it. But this movie looked cute and, hey, it was something to do on a Saturday morning (it was being offered as part of SFF). I never expected how much this movie would eventually mean to me and my family. Yes, it is incredibly corny, but that’s what’s expected from a movie like this. The corniness was dealt with in a humorous way. Before I knew it I had fallen in love with all of them- from poor little Beaker to Gonzo the Great to Walter, the newest addition to the Muppet family.
I immediately sensed a strong connection with Walter (and no, I don't believe he has Asperger's.) Watching parts of his childhood made me think about parts of mine: never TRULY fitting in; losing yourself in a cast of characters that meant the world to you and gave you a sense of belonging; going overboard on your special interest to the points where people think you're being ridiculous, but you don't let it really get to you and hang onto it for dear life- it's kind of all you have. Of course, it helped that they had Jim Parsons (Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, the best TV character and TV show ever created) play his human counterpart in the song "Man or Muppet."
My mom couldn't come with me and my dad to the sensory showing because she had a commitment somewhere else that day. We told her all about it and, as she was a fan of the show as a kid, she wished she could have gone to see it with us.
There's a little movie theater by a small, local mall that has always seemed like it could be an option for us. It's not a very fancy operation, but it's still a theater. A few months ago, after some things we had read and a lot of courage being summoned forth, we decided we wanted to try it out. By the time we were able to catch a movie (Winnie the Pooh was our choice as we figured it'd be a quieter movie anyway), the one we wanted to see was already out of the theater. Nothing else had popped up that was worth watching twice or, if it hadn't made it to SFF, even once. After I saw The Muppets it hit me. I could go with my mom to try out the little theater. If it worked, I got to view this spectacular Disney creation once more and she would have a chance to see it. If not... then we'd be disheartened, but oh well. I was terrified as I walked down the dark hallway to the individual theater room. We opened the door and started walking up the side ramp. That's when the miracle of all miracles happened. The noise level was about the SAME as at SFF.
Right then... so many doors opened.
The tickets/concessions were cheaper. There would be more than one chance to see each movie that I wanted to. I could see ANY movie that I wanted to. I could go see a movie with friends. I could go see Beauty and the Beast in 3D. (You better believe I'm counting the days down till that.)
As we got back into the car after the credits rolled, we both cried.
The Muppets was the first movie in almost ten years I saw twice during its run in theaters. On the day that it comes out on DVD, we are going to the store and buying it. This movie means the world to us. Not just because it is a great movie, but because it is symbolic of that life-changing moment when I could be in a regular theater room, watching a movie like regular people do. I can feel tears welling in the corners of my eyes all over again as I type. Over Christmas break I am going with a friend to go see Chipwrecked. We're both avid Chipmunk fans, no matter how weird that may sound. The point is: this will be the first time since ELEMENTARY school that I am going to a movie with somebody my age... and it means a lot. More than words can say or that this blog can try to emphasize.
~~The bottom line: Don't be afraid to try a small, local theater in your town to see if the noise level is different. It very well may not be. But, if it is, a whole world of opportunity will open up. If the theater just doesn't work for you, check to see if you have an AMC theater in your town and if it offers Sensory Friendly Films. It truly is a great program. Also, don't miss your chance to see The Muppets while you still can. I promise you it's worth your while.~~
My corny take on my mom's so-called "Pearls of Wisdom" ;).
