Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World (now on Netflix) is a warm hug of a short documentary about a nonverbal teen with autism who achieves a significant breakthrough in her ability to communicate. Director Julio Palacio may find himself in the Oscar race for this sweetly inspiring film that may stand as an example of how children with autism can feel like less of an outsider among their families and peers. It packs a lot of emotion into 24 minutes.
The Gist: We meet Makayla as she picks out a voice for the film, settling on voiceover artist Portia Cue. Makayla wrote all the narration using a letter board; we see her with her tutor, Roxy, painstakingly composing her thoughts by pointing at letter after letter on a laminated sheet. She shares the basics of her bio: She’s 14 and lives in Atlanta. Her mom owns a boutique clothing store, her dad is a “famous music producer” (we see a closeup of a gold record on his wall: He’s Khari “Needlz” Cain, who’s produced tracks for 50 Cent, Bruno Mars, Cardi B and many others), her younger brother is in middle school, her older sister studies music in college. She loves music and art, especially Van Gogh, who she relates to because, like Makayla, he communicated unlike most others – “he used color to communicate,” she says via Portia’s voice.
Dad explains that Makayla has a “pretty rare” autism diagnosis that left her unable to speak. He and the rest of the family never really understood her or her point of view until she began using the letter board. “We’re still learning who she is,” he says. Makayla “narrates” letters to her mom and dad, explains how she’s long had to express herself physically because she can’t speak, reveals how storms give her headaches, shares deep thoughts about how isolated and lonely she sometimes feels. And that’s it. She shares some of her hopes and dreams with the rest of the world – at long last. The film is indeed that simple, straightforward and earnest.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Disney+ original film Out of My Mind is a similarly heartwarming fictional story about a nonverbal teen with cerebral palsy who communicates with a letter board, but finds her “voice,” and truly shares herself, when she begins using a computer that can speak for her.
Performance Worth Watching: I think we’ll all become Makayla’s cheerleaders mere moments into the film.
Memorable Dialogue: Makayla, using Portia’s voice, in voiceover: “Forgive yourself. That’s the best way to release. And by doing that, you teach forgiveness to others.”
Sex and Skin: None.
Our Take: Makayla’s Voice clings tightly to Makayla’s point of view, so it’s more touchy-feely and, dare I say, impressionist in its storytelling. It gives us a clear idea of the joys and pains of her life, and is in no way necessarily representative of everyone with autism, even if some of her struggles are common to many. The film’s intent focus, directness and honesty is its strength. You can’t help but ponder some of the practicalities of her care – Roxy is in many scenes here; can the average family afford a tutor like her? But the film’s stock in trade is hope, and with enough love and support, pragmatism will bend to it.
Our Call: Makayla’s Voice is a lovely, gently stirring tearjerker that lets us experience the joys and pains of a mind newly opened to the world. STREAM IT.
John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
