After Thomas (2006 TV Movie) User Reviews (12)

A Stunning Achievement

[natashabowiepinky · 8/10 · 1 February 2014]

PASSER BY: "Disgraceful behaviour!"

KYLE'S MOTHER: "What, you staring at a disabled child having a fit? I agree!"

Kyle is a lost cause. Born with a very severe case of autism, he can barely communicate... apart from repeating parrot-like what he hears. He often rehashes these phrases in the most inappropriate situations, much to the amusement of everyone except his mum and dad. He throws random temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way. He still wears nappies at the age of 6. He has no comprehension of the emotional needs of others. His only outlet in life is his obsession with trains.

His parents are at their wits end. They've sent him to a special needs day school, but progress is frustratingly slow. The father wants to pack him off to a specialist unit 5 days and nights a week, but mother is desperate for him to have a chance in the real world. Mum is sick of having no social life, while dad is seriously considering an affair with a family friend. Things look bleak. Then, they decide to get a dog... And everything changes.

After Thomas is a wonderful film, the best I've seen this year so far. Every detail, from the little picture cards Kyle has to examine to understand what he has to do, to his tendency to walk up and down in a straight line for hours, rings true. The little actor they have to play this part is perfect. This is no sugar-coated Hollywoodised view of a handicap... living with this child is a chore, and would test the patience of a saint.

Then along comes Thomas, named after Kyle's favourite Tank Engine. He doesn't really bond with the canine straightaway... but gradually, an eternal friendship is forged. Thomas helps him open up, and what started out as a hopeless situation becomes a journey of discovery for him and his parents, as they see more and more of their son every day. The scene where he calls them Mum and Dad for the first time is such a tearjerker, you'll want to reach for the toilet paper product that Thomas's breed also advertises.

Few films earn the title Life Affirming. This one surely does. 8/10

After Thomas

[jboothmillard · 8/10 · 25 February 2012]

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!

Wonderful

[linda_pmc · 10/10 · 3 January 2007]

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.

Close to my heart

[ogbertuk · 10/10 · 3 February 2007]

I saw this on TV over the Christmas period.And i've got to say how brilliant this film was.Having an autistic child i was expecting the TV soap opera approach.How wrong was i.

So many things in this hit like a hammer.Situations both myself and my wife have been though.Screaming in the street,People staring in disgust,Trying to buy new shoes.....The list is endless.

Well made and acted.A truly amazing story.This film must be on your 'To watch List'

If only we had a DVD release.

Remember you don't need a wheel chair to be disabled.

brilliant drama

[sueluv · 10/10 · 27 December 2006]

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.

A wonderful faultless drama!

[benbrae76 · 10/10 · 31 December 2006]

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.

Excellent Drama

[kate2949 · 10/10 · 27 April 2007]

One of those wonderful lucky accidents - I Tivo'd this program based purely on the fact that Keeley Hawes was in it and she's one of my favorite actresses so whatever it was it would be good because of her. Little did I expect to be blown away by the performances of everyone in the cast, most especially Kyle and Thomas himself! Ben Miles was a pleasant surprise. Having only ever seen him in Coupling, here he showed he's capable of so much more.

This is one of the sweetest and most touching dramas I've seen in a long time and to find out it was a true story just made it all the more incredible. By the end I was in tears. You don't need to have a child with autism to grasp the intensity and heartfelt emotion of the parents and indeed the grandparents as they tried to deal with the issues surrounding a child with special needs.

Must watch

[tracy-gilson · 10/10 · 27 December 2006]

Over the last few years I have developed an interest in working with children on the Autistic Spectrum. I have found all forms of Autism to be the most interesting, complex and distressing conditions a child and their family have to experience and cope with.

I watched this film for the first time on TV last night. I thought it was an excellent portrayal of the difficulties experienced by those affected by ASD.

I am hoping that lots of people watched and that peoples insight to the awareness and understanding of Autism is broadened through this superb production.

Best programme on TV this Christmas

[nicola-142 · 10/10 · 28 December 2006]

This was a wonderful programme, great entertainment and a programme which will hopefully lead to help for other autistic children. I saw the real Kyle on television the other day and he really is an inspiration. I appreciate that not all autistic children would be able to respond to a dog in the way Kyle did but surely it is something that should be investigated.

It is just sad that Thomas didn't live until after the programme was aired, he would have become a real star in his own right. Maybe homeless dogs should be made available for rehousing to autistic children. A lot of rescue dogs always have extra love to give.

Personally I can't think of anything to fault the programme on.

A true story about a couple's struggles to meet the challenges of their son's autism.

[rjcoop-1 · 10/10 · 26 December 2006]

Kyle Graham is scared. Not of monsters under the bed like any average six year old but of everything. Normal, everyday activities prove terrifying to him.

And he can't communicate his fears, or share them with friends, because he can't use language and he has no friends.

Kyle is autistic, a condition it took his parents two desperate years to get diagnosed. So his day consists of endless traumas and tantrums… and unimaginable stress for his mum and dad Nicola and Rob.

Nicola's fierce determination to break into Kyle's world at any cost has placed an intolerable strain on her marriage. And, her only respite is the unwavering support of her mother Pat and father Jim, who dote on Kyle.

Into this setting of seemingly insurmountable conflict comes Thomas, a golden retriever puppy, named after Kyle's favourite character, Thomas The Tank Engine.

By the time Thomas is a fully grown dog, Nicola and Rob are hopeful of a breakthrough where all other attempts have failed.

The unexpected and devastating blow of Pat's death only strengthens their resolve.

But when Thomas becomes ill, the family fear that the progress Kyle has made is about to unravel… A truly touching story and one that will stick in your mind for a long time indeed.

After Thomas, how a dog changes a boy's life

[Loucarlisle · 9/10 · 27 December 2006]

A touching drama about how a dog changes a boy with Autism's life and helps him in his world. I didn't realise it was a true story until the end. There were moments when you really could feel the parents anguish and moments when you felt their absolute joy as to what was happening. The acting was really true to life as to how hard it can be when you have a child with autism. Felt the first part took a while to get going while the second half once the dog had come seemed rushed. One moment the dog was a puppy and the next minute there was a fully grown dog. Not sure if the child who played Kyle was autistic but if not he had the part down to a tee as to how a child with Autism will often react and struggle to express their opinions. Well worth a viewing. Strong language in there from Kyle but otherwise a very true to real life story which makes you understand how the parents felt at the time.

Amazing and truly affecting drama

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 5 July 2011]

I remembered seeing After Thomas on the Christmas of 2006 and absolutely adoring it. Finding the tape that we recorded it on while clearing up I sat down to watch it, hoping that my positive memories of it had not changed. Thank goodness those memories were no fluke. After Thomas was amazing. I specifically remember thinking that it was one of the better dramas on that Christmas, and I still think that.

After Thomas looks stunning. You can never go wrong with skillful photography, picturesque scenery and evocative attention to detail, and After Thomas had exactly that. The music was also beautifully composed, never too obtrusive or too little but just right and just the right tone for the drama's mood.

The writing is thoughtful and poignant with Kyle's Kyle loves Mummy really standing out as a line that truly resonates with you emotionally. I also have to credit the story, it is a well paced and beautifully constructed one that anyone can identify with. It is also very affecting, this is not the sentimentality that feels too much or feels preachy, this sentimentality is genuine and written and incorporated so well and carefully that you care for the story and the characters and their predicaments.

Underneath all this though, you do feel a glimmer of hope, the subject matter for After Thomas is a brave one and being autistic myself is one I can personally engage with, and seeing how Kyle behaves it made me think and gave me hope. The acting is wonderful throughout, the dog is adorable and very convincing, and as great as Keeley Hawes, Ben Miles and Shiela Hancock are it was the remarkable performance of Andrew Byrne that moved me most.

Overall, truly amazing and anyone who hasn't seen it yet and plans to, I advise you to have some tissues at the ready, I myself needed more than a few at the end. 10/10 Bethany Cox