The Story of Luke

Last updated
The Story of Luke
The Story of Luke, Official Release Poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Alonso Mayo
Written by Alonso Mayo
Produced byJulien Favre
Nina Leidersdorff
Fred Roos
Starring Lou Taylor Pucci
Seth Green
Cary Elwes
Kristin Bauer
Cinematography David Klein
Edited byVikash Patel
Music by Mateo Messina
Production
companies
DViant Films
Fluid Film
Distributed by Gravitas Ventures
Release dates
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Story of Luke is a 2012 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Alonso Mayo. It is Mayo's first feature-length film and tells the story of Luke, a young man with autism who embarks on a quest for a job and a girlfriend. It stars Lou Taylor Pucci, Seth Green, Cary Elwes and Kristin Bauer. [1] [2]

Contents

Cast

Production

Development

The film was inspired by director Alonso Mayo's experiences at Centro Ann Sullivan del Perú. [3] While finishing his undergrad studies in film and journalism in Peru, Mayo helped produce a series of training videos for creating supported employment programs and met many men and women with autism and other developmental disabilities. [4] [5] Later, while writing the screenplay for The Story of Luke, Mayo returned to Centro Ann Sullivan del Perú on a research trip and shot the documentary Just Like Anyone. [6]

Filming

The Story of Luke was produced by DViant Films and Fluid Film. Filming took place in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada in 23 days in August and September 2011. [7] [8] To prepare for the role of Luke, Lou Taylor Pucci spent time with young men with autism spectrum disorders in Sault Ste. Marie. [2]

Release

The Story of Luke premiered at the 2012 San Diego Film Festival, where it won Best Film. [9] It has gone on to win over 20 film festival awards including Best Film at San Antonio Film Festival, [10] Garden State Film Festival [11] and San Luis Obispo International Film Festival. [12] It was released theatrically and on demand in the United States and Canada on April 5, 2013 by Gravitas Ventures. [13] [14] It was released on DVD on August 6, 2013. [15]

Reception

Autism community reception

The Story of Luke received positive reviews from the autism community, especially for Lou Taylor Pucci's portrayal of a man with autism. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] Psychology Today columnist and autism advocate Chantal Sicile-Kira wrote, "Most parents of youths with autism will find this movie uplifting and encouraging—we all hope and wish our youths will be successful in finding employment and someone to love… Lou Taylor Pucci's portrayal of Luke is spot on. His manners, gestures and tone of voice feel authentic." [21]

The film also received the endorsement of advocacy organization Autism Speaks. Leslie Long, Director of Housing and Adult Services wrote, "Luke transforms the people around him that were under the assumption they would be caring for him. This is not unique but not often discussed either. Most people have not had the pleasure of really knowing someone with autism in all facets of their lives so they miss the nuances of their humor or the effortless ways they tell the whole truth." [22]

Critical reception

The Story of Luke garnered mostly positive reviews from film critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an 80% approval rating based on 5 reviews. [23]

Mark Olsen of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "Mayo's script avoids turning Luke into some wise holy fool, allowing him to make missteps along the way... "The Story of Luke" is not a saga of epic proportions, but with a huge assist from Pucci's layered performance, takes a premise that could easily be movie-of-the-week sappy and finds a humanizing lightness." [24]

Daniel M. Gold of The New York Times wrote, "Mr. Pucci (“Thumbsucker,” “The Music Never Stopped”) gives a thoughtful and nuanced performance but gets few favors from the script, which puts him front and center in almost every scene... the film serves as a modest reminder that the challenges of autism may sometimes be no more daunting or fearsome than those that face anyone in search of an independent life." [25]

In a more mixed review, Chuck Wilson of The Village Voice called it "a charming little film in need of a bit more grit… Luke faces challenges, to be sure, both within himself and out in the world, but even the meanies at the office are only sitcom-mean. In the end, Luke's path to self-empowerment is funny and sweet and a little too easy." [26]

Accolades

List of awards and nominations
AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipients and nomineesResult
San Diego Film Festival [27] [28] September 29, 2012Best FilmThe Story of LukeWon
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival [29] November 14, 2012Audience Award for Best American IndieThe Story of LukeWon
Bahamas International Film Festival [30] December 9, 2012Audience Award for Best NarrativeThe Story of LukeWon
Irvine International Film Festival [31] January 21, 2013Best Feature NarrativeThe Story of LukeWon
Best 1st Time Director Alonso Mayo Won
Best Actor Lou Taylor Pucci Won
Best TrailerThe Story of LukeWon
The Saint Augustine Film Festival [32] January 25, 2013People's Choice Award for Best FilmThe Story of LukeWon
San Francisco IndieFest [33] February 22, 2013Audience Award for Best Narrative FeatureThe Story of LukeWon
Festivus film festival [34] February 23, 2013Best Narrative FeatureThe Story of LukeWon
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival [35] March 9, 2013Best Narrative FeatureThe Story of LukeWon
Audience Award for Best Narrative FilmThe Story of LukeWon
Omaha Film Festival [36] March 12, 2013Audience Choice Award for Best Feature FilmThe Story of LukeWon
Green Bay Film Festival [37] March 14, 2013Film Lovers Choice AwardThe Story of LukeWon
Best Screenplay Alonso Mayo Won
Phoenix Film Festival [38] April 8, 2013Special Jury Prize Lou Taylor Pucci Won
Garden State Film Festival [39] April 8, 2013Best Narrative FeatureThe Story of LukeWon
Sunscreen Film Festival [40] April 23, 2013Best FilmThe Story of LukeWon
Arizona International Film Festival [41] April 28, 2013Special Jury Award for Best Performance Lou Taylor Pucci Won
San Antonio Film Festival [42] June 24, 2013Grand Prize for Best FilmThe Story of LukeWon
Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival [43] September 23, 2013Best Northern Ontario Feature FilmThe Story of LukeWon

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References

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