Disney's new original movie 'Out of my Mind', based on the novel by Sharon M. Draper, introduces us to 12-year-old Melody Brooks, a fiery and stubborn tween who suffers from cerebral palsy. Although not keen on being seen as an inspiration, Melody's struggles and successes make her exactly that. She navigates through each school day with the help of her adopted internal narrator, Jennifer Aniston of "Friends" fame, and her extended family who try their best to help, despite sometimes causing additional chaos.
Stuck in the same special education class for seven years, Melody longs for interaction with mainstream students. Her wish eventually comes true when she receives approval for a sophisticated type-and-speak device, allowing her to attend a regular history class. Sadly though, her new environment introduces her to additional barriers in the form of naivety, ignorance, and discrimination demonstrated by her fellow pupils and teachers. Despite this, Melody persists, excels academically, and even secures a new friend, Rose.
Although Melody battles numerous challenges heightened by her condition, she does so with fierce determination, a relentless spirit, and a captivating smile. Her capability is evident right from the start, from brilliantly overcoming communication constraints to cleverly using the misunderstandings of others to provide her with otherwise unlikely opportunities.
Melody's progress, however, does not come from discovering something new about herself but from the problems posed by her external environment, including doctors, insurance agencies, school administrators, and bullies. Despite her challenges sometimes feeling forced, her drive for autonomy and the motivation to give a voice to herself and others is heartbreakingly genuine.
Director Amber Sealey masterfully depicts Melody's actions and thoughts, emphasizing that her journey's real significance lies in the impact she has on those around her. In her central role, Phoebe-Rae Taylor offers a compelling performance filled with nuanced expressions and underlying layers of emotions. With supporting roles echoing and enhancing Melody's character, 'Out of my Mind' paints a beautiful, realistic picture of an individual's resilience, determination, and ability to affect change even in adversities.
