Welcome Home, Jellybean (1984)

Overview
"Welcome Home, Jellybean" is a 1984 US tv film. Directed by Delbert Mann and composed by Laura Pels and Molly Picon, it is based on the unique by Marlene Fanta Shyer. The film stars Anthony Michael Hall, Martin Balsam, Eileen Brennan, and Tiffany Blake. It's a moving drama about the trials of a common household living with an autistic member.

Plot Summary
The Napolitano household is a fairly typical rural family in America, comprised of Bob (Martin Balsam), his partner Liz (Eileen Brennan), their daughter Annette (Tiffany Blake), and child Gerri (Anthony Michael Hall). They lead a regular life till they decide to welcome their other kid, Neil, passionately described as 'Jellybean', back home from the institution he's been kept in since his early youth due to his extreme autism.

The film mostly focuses on the impact of Jellybean's homecoming on the Napolitano household. Gerri, a high school teenager, struggles the most with Jellybean's return. He is at first ashamed and embarrassed of his sibling, finding it tough to bring good friends home and maintain his appeal at school due to Jellybean's unforeseeable and non-traditional behavior.

Character Development & Conflict
As the story progresses, nevertheless, Gerri slowly starts to accept and understand Jellybean's situation. The movie sensitively portrays the complexity of feelings experienced by the member of the family - from love and want to frustration, fear, and even resentment sometimes. Gerri's initial insecurity and shame become a caring and protective attitude towards his elder bro.

However, the household's struggle continues. The local community has blended feelings about Jellybean's existence, his disruptive habits at regional events and attractions excites negative attention, and the Napolitano's are required to handle social judgment and analysis.

Resolution
"Welcome Home, Jellybean" recommends that dealing with a relative with a special needs can be a prolonged obstacle, but it ultimately leads to individual growth, understanding, and acceptance. The climax occurs when Gerri and Annette take Jellybean to a local community dance and stand up for him when others try to make him leave.

Vital Reception
The film was lauded for its sensitive representation of autism and the impact it has on families. The efficiencies of the cast, specifically Anthony Michael Hall in his early career and Martin Balsam, were extremely praised. Nevertheless, some critics kept in mind that the movie did not have depth as it didn't delve profoundly into the mental elements of autism.

Conclusion
"Welcome Home, Jellybean" is a psychological household drama that presents the concern of autism and the psychological rollercoaster households go through while handling a member having unique needs. It is a movie that sends a powerful message about acceptance, understanding, and genuine love within a household in spite of specific life difficulties. Regardless of its arguable lack of depth, it supplied the 1980s audience an insight into the trials of dealing with and accepting autism.

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