A SMILE AS BIG AS THE MOON

US, 2012, 100 minutes, Colour.
John Corbett, Jessy Schram, Logan Huffman, Moira Kelly,
Directed by James Steven Sadwith.

A Smile as Big as the Moon is a Hallmark Hall of fame television movie. It is in the tradition of Hallmark, audience and family friendly, offering true stories with more than a touch of inspiration. This is one of the most entertaining projects, humane, telling a story that should spur people to further action.

This is a true story, based on a book by the central character, Mike Kersjes, who taught special education at Northern High, Grand Rapids Michigan. He was also the football coach.

The film shows Kersjes and his assistant, Robynn, with a group of their students at an astronomy show. They cause trouble and have to leave. The film takes the opportunity to introduce the variety of children in the class, with the various disabilities, attention deficiency, or autism, downs syndrome… The screenplay tends to focus on a small group within the large group.

Kersjes has an idea that he should take the class to space camp. It is 1988, under 20 years since the Moon landing. The principal is against the idea. His assistant is wary. His wife is concerned. However, he contacts the authorities, gets the help of a politician, goes to Alabama for an interview and is given permission to bring the group.

They spend the year in preparation, with an emphasis on the particular talents of each of the children, also teaching and to collaborate and work as a team.
The autistic boy is expert on answering science questions. Another boy is able to put together model planes, quite complex, in a brief time. One of the boys is dyslexic, rather resentful, but he is seen by his teachers as a potential leader and fulfills this promise during the flight simulation at space camp. The film is direct in showing the moods of the children, their clashes with the children who bully them, in their moments of anger, and in their worKing together for the project.

When the group does go to space camp, they enjoy the experience, some of the children excel with their expertise, they go through the flight simulation, overcoming mistakes, and finally win a number of the awards, in competition with highly intelligent groups from other schools.

The film is emotional, emotionally satisfying, and reassuring when the final credits say that this experiment in 1988 opened the way for more successful projects for a range of individuals and groups.

1. A Hallmark hall of fame film? The tradition of inspirational films based on true stories?

2. The tone and feel of the film, the hope and optimism? The title?

3. An adaptation of the book by Mike Kersjes? The portrait of him as a teacher, a sympathetic, as visionary for the children? His life and experience?

4. The introduction to Mike, to Robynn, to his family, Mike’s wife and children? His character? A decent American?

5. The introduction to the children, the special needs, special education, the range of difficulties? At the astronomy show, the consequent chaos? Their having to leave? The particular children, their names, the information about the disability, the police, the girls, ages, ethnic backgrounds? The film focusing on the smaller group within the large group?

6. At school, the role of the principal? Classes, activities, the range of projects in class, the skill of the teachers in engaging the children? Discipline? Difficulties?

7. The audience observing the classes, the children, how the teachers dealt with the children, in detail, facing problems, treating the children well, the builder discipline, the role of fun?

8. Mike and the project, the idea, Robynn’s reaction, the principal and his refusal? Mike contacting the political friend? The phone call to Space Camp, the director and her refusal, the influence of the politician, getting the interview, Mike and Robynn travelling to Alabama? The discussions? The tour? The meeting with the authorities? Agreement for the project?

9. Space Camp in the 1980s, in scope, the opportunities, the staff, the intelligence requirements?

10. Mike, the discussions with his wife, her caution, her support?

11. The months of training, Mike’s reading the books, having to learn on the job, Robynn’s help, the importance of teamwork, the individual tasks for each child with their talent? Discovering their abilities? The autistic boy and his high IQ, ability to answer questions, knowledge and detail? The large boy who could build planes? The swimming training? The girl and her caution?

12. The other children of the school, the bullying and name-calling? The cooking class, the slurs, the fights, the girl saying it was not fair? The clean up?

13. Scott as leader, his potential, dyslexic, denial of his disability, wanting out? Mike and his support of him? Dealing with the angry situations, the flaring up and violence? Scott offered the role of leadership?

14. The theme of the group working together, learning to work as a team?

15. Going to the camp, the welcome, the chief assistant and her smiles? The locations, the extent of Space Camp, its facilities and equipment?

16. The teams, the competitiveness of the visit? The group in the dormitory, given the uniforms, Mike and his concerns, phoning his wife?

17. Audiences enjoying the five performances? The builder and his ability to put things together, the high IQ boy and the quizzes? The fights and the issue of leadership? The simulation, the girl and her mistake, Scott and his ability to bring the task to completion? Success? The joy of the group with their success? The design of the poster, the mocking of the artist, his sulking, Scott bringing him back, the design with all the ideas?

18. The awards, the many successes for the group? The morale boost? Returning to their families? The joy for the children, for their families?

19. The film suggesting possibilities for all children, whatever their special difficulties, utilizing their abilities, affirmation and discipline?
Hallmark producing a particularly inspiring film?