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Parents' Guide to

What I Feel for You

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Parents of special needs kids unite for support; language.

Movie NR 2018 90 minutes
What I Feel For You Movie Poster

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • What I Feel for You Movie: Scene # 1
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What's the Story?

WHAT I FEEL FOR YOU is based on the real-life founding of an organization created by parents of children with special needs. Luis (Luis O. Villanueva Valiente) is a joyful, playful athlete who excels at running, swimming, and biking and is looking forward to competing in the Special Olympics triathlon. He has Down syndrome. From a well-to-do family, he has a coach and parents who care. But his father, Carlos (Felix German), a businessman, has left Luis to the care of his mother for the most part. He's disappointed at his child's limitations and communicates a sense that spending time with his son is a waste of his valuable time, time more fruitfully spent on tending to his successful business. When Mom is unavailable to travel for the Special Olympics, Dad reluctantly accompanies Luis. The accommodations are spartan, the food is bad, and their roommates, a boisterous and fun-loving father-and-son pair, are too friendly for Carlos' taste. In a parallel story, Ana (Yordanka Ariosa) juggles her job and the care of Leo (Zoila Batista) and Juan (Javier Alejo Cruz), two sons with autism. Their twitches, quirks, and sensitivities make delivering them to school every day a labor of love. Jorge (Frank Perozo) and Diana (Nashia Bogaert) suffer from infertility, and when Diana finally gives birth, the child has Down syndrome. They are devastated, as worried about the child's future as they are elated at his birth. All converge when Ana and others create an organization to help parents support each other and create better support and services for their children.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

What I Feel for You is a worthwhile and moving story about love, family, and seeing the value in every human being. It's a tearjerker, too, but the tears are jerked honestly as we watch good people fight for the rights of their children, some of whom are not capable of fighting for themselves.

It's frustrating to watch Carlos wallow in self-pity instead of enjoying his joyful child, especially when he meets a dad who does enjoy and appreciate his child so obviously. But Carlos eventually gets there. He not only comes to share the joy that Luis radiates, but also puts his time and money into helping others set aside prejudices and learn to love. One father of a son with Down syndrome tells another that he learned early on that life is made of small moments and it's best to live them to the fullest.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how difficult it can be for parents, especially single ones, to take care of children who have special needs. What resources are available to help?

  • What do you think Carlos comes to realize after he spends some quality time with his son?

  • The movie focuses more on the difficulties that parents of these kids face than on the challenges the kids face themselves. Do you think there is room for more movies about the children's own experiences?

Movie Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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