Sweet Nothing in My Ear TV Movie: After the Viewing

As expected, lots of conversations are happening surrounding last night’s TV movie debut.
The New York Daily News
Amazing Sounds
Deaf Mom
Robert Mason
Freep.com
CI Online
Banjo’s World
Countdown to the Revolution
Deafness at About.com
All the Young Dudes
Surround Sound
Pah Mine
Jim’s Deep Thoughts
DeafDC Blog
My opinion? Haven’t finished it yet, but I was impressed with how the film portrayed deaf characters’ interactions with others and sound. I also liked how the movie presented the arguments we hear from both sides of the cochlear implant debate.
However, it was disappointing the story revolved around a custody case. I hated seeing Dan (Jeff Daniels) and Laura’s (Marlee Matlin) relationship take a turn the way it did. They had such a loving relationship with him respectful of the deaf culture and we watched that relationship slowly fall apart thanks to their differences on the cochlear implant issue.
It was a delight watching the kids from the school for the deaf perform Wizard of Oz. The movie turned off sounds from time to time so hearing people could see how the deaf experience noisy situations.
Someone mentioned that no one asked Adam (the child) what he wanted. Like I said, I haven’t seen the whole movie. Considering Adam is at least eight, I believe most lawyers would ask the child what he wants at this age. But I could be wrong.
Jericho‘s Shoshanna Stern played a deaf person who went the oral route. She showed her cochlear implant — that thing looked like something from the ’80s. It was thick. I searched for older pictures of cochlear implants to see if they put an older one on her, but no luck. None of the cochlear implants look like that today.

2 comments

    • RLM on April 22, 2008 at 10:30 am

    Whoa! What you done with this blog was very effective way of gathering various perspectives from other blogs into one place! Thanks!
    You made a good point about many lawyers usually ask the child during the custody fight what he or she want.
    Some child really do not know what’s best for him.
    Many children are subjected to emotional manipulation or reverse psychology or intimidation or coceceration.
    Sadly, many parents treat their own offsprings as some kind of property, instead of seen as a human being.
    I will discuss more about this related topic on my next blog.
    Robert L. Mason (RLM)

    • Meryl on April 22, 2008 at 10:36 am

    Robert, agreed that some children won’t know what’s best for themselves especially since parents could manipulate the child into doing what the parent wants. But it’s something to be aware of.
    In some cases, the parents won’t have manipulated the child and it could be a good situation where the child can be honest.

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