
Adrienne Ackerman and William Fitzgerald at the LA Premiere of EZRA, hosted by Love & Autism

Adrienne Ackerman performs EZRA theme song at The Tribeca Film Festival Lisbon

As we move deeper into awards season 2025, Hollywood is grappling with the
devastating LA Wildfires aftermath, that totally destroyed the Pacific Palisades, Alta
Dena and loss for so many Angelenos. I’ve been catching up on films from 2024,
many that are FYC for the Oscars. Some are films that were released earlier last
year. One such film is EZRA, directed by Tony Goldwyn, starring Robert De Niro,
Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson, Vera Farmiga, and
introducing William Fitzgerald.EZRA is an impactful film about a child on the Autism
Spectrum Disorder. Fitzgerald, who is on the Autism Spectrum, is making his big
screen debut as the title character. According to Fitzgerald, his disorder is a
“combination of ADHD and Autism.” Acclaimed actor and two-time Emmy winner
Cannavale plays “Max” the father of “Ezra” who is struggling to juggle pursuing a
stand-up comedy career and raising an autistic son at the same time. I recently met
songwriter Adrienne Ackerman, who wrote the heartfelt theme song EZRA, sung by
Rae Isla over the end credits. The song is catch, plaintive and memorable. Adrienne
shared with me that EZRA was a labor of love project for all involved. Tony Spirikadis
wrote the screenplay. It was largely based on his own experiences in raising an
autistic son. The legendary Robert DeNiro , who masterfully plays Max’s father Stan,
and has strong opinions about how Max should raise EZRA, has sons on the Autism
Spectrum. Alex Plank, the actor who plays Dr. Kaplan, is also an associate producer
on EZRA, is on the spectrum. There was a strong focus on representation and
inclusion, EZRA employed autistic people in every level of production for authenticity.
The story of EZRA is relatable to any parent raising an autistic child. Max is co-
parenting EZRA with his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) and the experts believe EZRA needs
to be enrolled in a special needs school. Because of his volatile temper, a restraining
order is placed on Max, blocking him from seeing EZRA. Max ends up kidnapping
EZRA, and they go on a life-changing road trip from New Jersey to LA, where Max is
booked on the Jimmy Kimmel Show as a real chance to make a mark in comedy. The
entire film explores the strong bond between Max and EZRA, and the unique
relationship between father and son that exists, with or with or without disabilities.
The Los Angeles premiere of EZRA took place at the Writers Guild of America
Theater. It was hosted by Love & Autism, a conference and a cause to change the
world. It’s a non-profit organization that shifts the hopeless narrative associated with
autism and helps bring about global change in how autistic people are treated at
work, home, academic setting, and community. Guests included individuals with other
disabilities besides ASD, as there are shared sensibilities within disability culture.
Jenny Palmietto,PSY. D, LMFT is the Founder of Love & Autism. Palmietto
“champions the belief that autistic rights are human rights.” Jenny stands at the
forefront of the Neurodiversity Movement and embodies commitment to dismantling
systemic ableism. The goal is to create a “neurodivergent affirming world.” Palmietto
is the founder of The Family Guidance and Therapy Center. She started Love &
Autism in 2016 as a “small, local conference with the belief that everyone deserves
the highest quality relationship possible.Today,Love & Autism is so much more than
our original vision. Our mission grew along the way. We are creating a world where
autistic people are valued and worthy.” For more information, please visit:
http://www.loveandautism.com
After the lively panel/Q and A following the film, Goldwyn introduced Adrienne
Ackerman to the stage. In talking about how she created the theme song EZRA,
Ackerman shared that she believes “all children are born perfect.” Rae Isla came on
and accompanied herself on guitar while singing a heartfelt version of EZRA. It’s
such a moving song, that Fitzgerald himself left the stage and shared with the
audience that the EZRA song “always makes me cry.” Adrienne has performed the
song solo at The Tribeca Film Festival Lisbon. It’s crucial that attention be brought to
EZRA, and films that deal with social issues that we are reluctant to address in the
world. EZRA raises awareness about children and adults on the Autism Spectrum,
and how they are misunderstood and made to feel like “the other” in society.
EZRA is a rare gem of a film that promotes conversations about disability rights,
and urges us all to collective to shift the narrative. EZRA brings about our human
“Connectedness.”
Bleecker Street distributed the film, and you can watch EZRA on Paramount +.