Written by Lara Rosales
While others constantly try to make Melody prove she has something to say, she meets the expectations and succeeds them every time. However, as the end of the film shows, Melody shouldn’t have to continuously prove herself for others to believe she is worthy of the space she occupies. The movie encourages viewers to understand that our biases should be reconstructed instead of jumping to judge those who are different from us.
Characters like Melody don’t come around that often, and it is great that she comes to the screen played by Phoebe-Rae Taylor. This is Taylor’s first movie, and the role fits her story perfectly and gives room for disabled actors to see they belong in the industry and there are roles there for them.
For those who might not have known the story, the movie might have come to them as a Jennifer Aniston movie. As Melody gets to choose the voice of her thoughts, she chooses Aniston’s voice, which leads viewers through the full spectrum of Melody’s emotions, feelings, and thoughts. Even though Melody receives the Medi-Talker, the film showcases her inner world through Aniston’s voice and the images she points to on her tray.
This combination is perfect for the audience to understand who Melody is beyond what the world around her defines or makes her out to be. When the world is trying to speak for her and stop her from showing how smart she is, the images on her try (shown repeatedly and zoomed in) show what she is truly trying to say and express. The Medi-Talker, in the end, helps make this audible for the rest of the world, but the viewers get the first look through Melody’s pointing finger.
While most people (except her parents) have preconceived notions that push them to dismiss Melody, two characters never do so. What is so fantastically done about the portrayal of these characters is that even though their end goal is the same, the delivery is different. On the one hand, Katherine (Courtney Taylor) approaches everything as the academic that she is. She sees Melody beyond her disability and the potential she could reach if the school allowed her in the classroom. Her conversations are always polite, fighting the good fight in the proper and expected way. But she is the one who voices what every viewer is thinking when even the school turns on Melody. The school, district, and budgeting see kids like Melody as an inconvenience. It isn’t that Melody’s cerebral palsy is holding her back, but the school itself is creating more challenges than the one she is already facing.
On the other hand, we have Mrs. V (Judith Light), who never sugarcoats life for Melody. She is just as open and honest as Katherine but in a more vulgar way. Her way of speaking to Melody is how she roots for her and pushes her to go forward. While her parents may fear certain changes because they want to protect her, Mrs. V is the first to tell her to fight for herself. She sees Melody differently than the rest of the world because she took the time to get to know her and what she likes or dislikes – like the shoes she helps her decorate.
The audience needs to remember that many of the reactions Melody faces in her life come from children her age. Kids build their biases based on what their parents teach them and what they see grownups do, so their behavior toward Melody isn’t entirely their fault. At first, Rose is on the fence because she doesn’t want her friends to make fun of her or treat her differently. But things change when she can have time alone with Melody and truly give herself a chance to get to know the other girl. She stands up for her because she now understands what she didn’t before. Of course, this all changes when Rose’s feelings are hurt, and the only way she knows how to react is by trying to hurt Melody in return. This is the only time Melody probably understands Rose’s behavior because she said she didn’t want to hurt Rose by getting her kicked out of the team.
Melody also has the opportunity to experience life as any other sixth grader through this friendship with Rose. She laughs, goes to the mall, and even uses her cerebral palsy to their advantage when they want to skip the line at the new store. This experience is probably one of the things that helps her stand up for herself in the end.
Out of My Mind isn’t afraid to point out the biases people have in life. It also offers the opportunity for other children like Melody to see their stories onscreen and see the world respecting them the way they deserve to.
Photo credits : Disney+