This is a really good story and made nicely into this TV movie. It is based on a real person. We saw it on DVD from our public library.
Jimmy Wolk is grown up Brad Cohen, new college graduate, attempting to get a job as a teacher in Atlanta. He knows it will be difficult because most school administrators don't believe he can be effective in the classroom with his verbal ticks. But he doesn't give up easily and vows to apply at every school in the greater Atlanta area.
Also very effective is young Dominic Scott Kay as the Young Brad Cohen, perhaps 10 or 11. We see the difficulties he has at school and also within his family. For years the doctors missed the diagnosis, they just thought he was hyperactive and made noises for attention. Only Patricia Heaton as his mother, Ellen Cohen, believed her son. On her own she went to the library and read medical books until she came up with Tourette.
Brad's family was fractured, he grew up in St Louis while his father, Treat Williams as Norman Cohen, re-married and moved to Atlanta where he was in the construction business. Acceptance by his father was always an issue with Brad.
Dating was always a problem with Brad but when he met Sarah Drew as Nancy Lazarus things turned around. She accepted him for who he is, a very smart and generous person, and they were able to build a life together.
A very good movie, even though I was sleepy when I started to watch it I never became sleepy as the movie played.
SPOILERS: Brad eventually received a return interview and at a progressive school was hired as a 2nd grade teacher. He discussed Tourette openly when his students asked and allowed them to ask any question. Not only was he accepted and loved by the students, he also was able to reach a young troublemaker and turn him around. At the end of the school year he was chosen as the best rookie teacher in the state of Georgia.
Jimmy Wolk is grown up Brad Cohen, new college graduate, attempting to get a job as a teacher in Atlanta. He knows it will be difficult because most school administrators don't believe he can be effective in the classroom with his verbal ticks. But he doesn't give up easily and vows to apply at every school in the greater Atlanta area.
Also very effective is young Dominic Scott Kay as the Young Brad Cohen, perhaps 10 or 11. We see the difficulties he has at school and also within his family. For years the doctors missed the diagnosis, they just thought he was hyperactive and made noises for attention. Only Patricia Heaton as his mother, Ellen Cohen, believed her son. On her own she went to the library and read medical books until she came up with Tourette.
Brad's family was fractured, he grew up in St Louis while his father, Treat Williams as Norman Cohen, re-married and moved to Atlanta where he was in the construction business. Acceptance by his father was always an issue with Brad.
Dating was always a problem with Brad but when he met Sarah Drew as Nancy Lazarus things turned around. She accepted him for who he is, a very smart and generous person, and they were able to build a life together.
A very good movie, even though I was sleepy when I started to watch it I never became sleepy as the movie played.
SPOILERS: Brad eventually received a return interview and at a progressive school was hired as a 2nd grade teacher. He discussed Tourette openly when his students asked and allowed them to ask any question. Not only was he accepted and loved by the students, he also was able to reach a young troublemaker and turn him around. At the end of the school year he was chosen as the best rookie teacher in the state of Georgia.