How this one got through the approval process is a mystery, but a pleasant one at that. Pitching a story about an autistic person who thinks as cows do, and becomes an animal behavior expert is bizarre enough but there is more than meets the eye. What really sets this script apart is the way it takes this idea to another level altogether as the autistic kid (in the movie) ends up revolutionizing the cattle industry. Somehow, HBO found it appealing enough to bring this touching story to life.
Chronicling the life of Temple Grandin, the movie looks at her life from the moment she arrives at her aunt’s ranch in Arizona to her eventual rise as an expert in the cattle industry and leading autism advocate. The movie attempts to take the viewer through Grandin’s mind so that they can experience how she thinks and perceives the world.
Claire Danes gives us an exemplary performance as Temple Grandin, having studied the character both in person and using video footage. “I didn’t want to fail her (Grandin) or disappoint her in any way,” said Danes about her portrayal. Director Mick Jackson later said that Danes was the obvious choice for the role and that no one else had been considered. He had been impressed with her performance in a theatrical play in New York where she had played the role of a woman disabled from the waist down. This required Danes to drag herself everywhere on stage with her hands.
Jackson said the professionalism and dedication shown in bringing that role to life singled out Danes as a very special actor. Grandin herself is actually thrilled by Danes’ performance likening it to taking a trip in a time machine and watching her younger self.