This film was actually quite difficult for me to watch as a person with a neurodevelopmental disorder, despite Bella being a completely fictional and impossible concept, because the way Bella experiences the world, thought processes, her own emotions, and the emotions of others is at times a very accurate reflection of how many people with some types of neurodevelopmental disorders experience them. It’s kinda rough to see yourself in a character like that when the character is constantly being taken advantage of in their naivety and disability.
On top of that, her (literal) childlike innocence and curiosity is very strongly sexualized which makes me uncomfortable because while she’s obviously free to explore her sexuality, she is very easy to manipulate and sexually assault without her knowing it’s even happening, which is a very common occurrence for people with a neurodevelopmental disorder. And while, once again, I do recognize this is a completely different and fictional concept, it is so incredibly reminiscent of the daily abuse mentally and/or neurologically disabled people face, that it was very hard for me to sit through.
I also realize that this is a very personal experience and if you don’t relate to Bella in that way, it’s likely a lot easier to appreciate it for its beautiful cinematography and costume design, which is why I’m still rating it high for a film that made me uncomfortable for half of it.
Review by emilyVIP 5BlockedParent2024-03-03T21:54:48Z
This film was actually quite difficult for me to watch as a person with a neurodevelopmental disorder, despite Bella being a completely fictional and impossible concept, because the way Bella experiences the world, thought processes, her own emotions, and the emotions of others is at times a very accurate reflection of how many people with some types of neurodevelopmental disorders experience them. It’s kinda rough to see yourself in a character like that when the character is constantly being taken advantage of in their naivety and disability.
On top of that, her (literal) childlike innocence and curiosity is very strongly sexualized which makes me uncomfortable because while she’s obviously free to explore her sexuality, she is very easy to manipulate and sexually assault without her knowing it’s even happening, which is a very common occurrence for people with a neurodevelopmental disorder. And while, once again, I do recognize this is a completely different and fictional concept, it is so incredibly reminiscent of the daily abuse mentally and/or neurologically disabled people face, that it was very hard for me to sit through.
I also realize that this is a very personal experience and if you don’t relate to Bella in that way, it’s likely a lot easier to appreciate it for its beautiful cinematography and costume design, which is why I’m still rating it high for a film that made me uncomfortable for half of it.