-Written by Ken Radner.
A woman who has recently discovered she is on spectrum, endures a party while wrestling control of her life from her anxieties.
What Are You Supposed to Do With Your Hands? is an endearingly fun and cathartic short film that has absolutely nothing to do with Talladega Nights. Not to sound reductive, but it is, in a word, cute. Well filmed and familiarly presented, this film provides an accessible illustration of the experience of autism through the eyes of a woman handling her adult diagnosis.
While attending a party, Kendra (Megan Toner) battles her symptoms while being antagonized by her internal monologue who insists that she adhere to her social skills. The plot vehicle of puppetry physically manifests her struggle, whether it be the masking she performs to be functional, or her superego pushing her to ignore her neurodivergence. I absolutely love the character of The Harpy (Larissa Thompson) owl. She is effectively operated, being an integral part of the story, and a potent metaphor. The behavioral difficulties and characteristics as depicted permit a clearer understanding of what a person on spectrum may experience in similar situations. The other techniques used complement the portrayal of the experience. The distorted camerawork, situational cacophony, and (my particular favorite) use of subtitles, provide a descriptive framework in order to place the viewer in our protagonist’s shoes.
We see that a typical social gathering can be far more complex to navigate than initially thought. Approaching the home triggers Kendra’s anxiety, and her discomfort with how to attempt to engage with the other guests is evident. Her “guardian angel” appears and instructs on how to perform in a “normal” fashion. This quickly becomes an exercise in going through the motions, as is expected to be proper, but in reality a false front and a chore.
Interacting with the partygoers brings its own slew of difficulties. The overbearing instructions engendered by anxiety and the expectation to fit in are ordered out in rapid fashion, in a manner difficult to keep up with and impossible to execute with authenticity. The stress built up in the attempt to maintain a facade culminates in a sensory and emotional overload, resulting in the retreat to physical coping mechanisms. Through this activity, and realization of her now confirmed diagnosis, Kendra is able to empower herself to overcome her difficulties of performing typically, and can now integrate the disparate parts of her psyche. Announcing to her friend that Kendra has discovered and is now comfortable with herself as she is, brings a sense of relief to herself and realization to those important to her.
Returning home, Kendra relaxes in her own environment, having made peace with her difficulties, her life and herself moving forward.
What Are You Supposed to Do With Your Hands? is a fun and comforting film, celebrating the victories that we can achieve, and how our inner strength can be transformative. All the characters, even the perceived antagonists, are sweet and lovable. It is definitely a film worth watching, and I hope to see more work from Writer-Director Thompson and the cast in the future.
Written & Directed by Larissa Thompson.
Starring Megan Toner, Larissa Thompson, Princess Davis, & William Edward.
7.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
