Autism in the Movies

Being There

In this comedy shyness is seen as a sign of creativeness. Peter Sellers plays a gardener with learning difficulties who all his working life has remained within the grounds of his employer's Washington town house. His employer dies and he is thrust into the outside world. His simplicity and his simple views on life make him the toast of Washington society. This film is satire but provocative in its depiction of attitudes towards someone who is different.