Ceticultsot Beautiful, moving film.

Twilightfa Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Jackson Booth-Millard With Goodnight Mister Tom and Appropriate Adult, this was another one of those television made dramas that really gripped me, and it managed to convince me that it was like a real film. Basically six year old Kyle Graham (introducing Andrew Byrne) is a boy who suffers a severe form of Autism, one that took two years to diagnose, and it causes him to be terrified of many things in everyday life, he has no close friends, but more than anything he cannot communicate properly. The many traumas and tantrums of Kyle have caused his parents, Nicola (Keeley Hawes) and Rob (Ben Miles) a lot of stress as he needs constant care, and they cannot get through to him, as he escapes into his own world of obsessions, such as trains and watching Thomas the Tank Engine. Trying to break through to him has caused friction in the marriage as well, Rob suggests placing Kyle in a special boarding school for autistic children, but Nicola loves him to much and wants him to grow up as part of society and try to learn the skills he needs at home. The social workers try to help as best as they can, and Nicola does get good moral support from her mother, 'Granny' Pat (Sheila Hancock) and father 'Grandpa' Jim (Duncan Preston), but they need a way to bring Kyle out of his shell. Nicola decides to try and see if Kyle can find connection with a new pet dog, so she brings a golden retriever puppy home and he does give him a name, Thomas, after the train and his favourite character. As time goes by Nicola and Rob see their son developing some communication through his affection for Thomas the dog, and they are smiling as he does show signs of improving. There is also a point when Rob has the idea to speak their feelings, through the dog, and they use this to stop Kyle from misbehaving and having tantrums. Nicola does find at one point that Thomas, now fully grown, may be becoming more prominent in Kyle's world, and he does kick the dog at one point in a moment of anger, and then there is the tragedy of Pat dying. After initially looking like Thomas may be lost after the kicking when he may have to be put down, he recovers, and Nicola and Rob are so happy when Kyle, speaking through the dog, tells them that he loves his mummy. Also starring Asa Butterfield as Andrew, Clive Mantle as John Havers, Lorraine Pilkington as Rachel and Noma Dumezweni as Paula Murray. Keeley gives a very emotional performance as the mother trying to cope with her disabled child, Miles is also great as the sympathetic and affectionate father, and of course young Byrne gives an extraordinary performance as the boy who makes small break through in his social interaction, and the dog is adorable as well. Being based on a true story, the events are very realistic and well played out, I can empathise and relate to the situation, I suffer a form of Autism myself and I know how difficult it can be sometimes, this is a brilliant drama. Very good!

linda_pmc As a mum of two sons with autism, I think this excellent drama will go a long way to raising awareness. It's the most accurate portrayal I've seen of the reality of autism. The lives of the child with autism and their parents revolve around their heightened sensitivity, unrelenting fears and extreme reaction to sight, sound and touch. It was moving too that the drama acknowledged the enormous strain it places on relationships, because our whole time is devoted to caring and helping to expand their knowledge and vocabulary. It was handled sensitively, without being overly melodramatic or intense, and for all the painful moments there were some lovely uplifting ones too. I felt the writers had shown integrity with the script and really taken time to get it right. I hope it will be shown again and even win some awards.

benbrae76 I won't elaborate on the plot of "After Thomas" as it's been covered by other reviewers, all of whom (to date) I must heartily agree with. As a drama it was faultless, and must have brought hope to many parents in a similar situation. The acting by all (including the dog) was superb, and Keeley Hawes in particular has proved once again what a magnificently talented actress she is, and that there is no role she cannot tackle. As she did last year in "Under the Greenwood Tree" she teams up again, equally successfully, with Ben Miles, and their performances are just as unmissable. A special tribute has to be paid to Andrew Byrne for his portrayal as the autistic child Kyle. A truly remarkable job for such a young actor.If this movie does not receive an award of some sort, then there is no justice.

sueluv as a mother to two autistic boy, this drama brought back reminders of what we have been through and moved me to tears, when kyle said kyle loves mummy, i remembered the time my son came up to me and said he loved me, it made me cry.the laying down in the road is exactly what my son does too, so much of this was our everyday life such a true to life account of life with autism. i think everyone should watch this as it will bring a better understanding and then families like ours will no longer have the prejudices that we face in everyday life. this drama show's there is hope out there for families that feel they are alone and unsure that this is normal behaviour for a autistic kids.