Mozart and the Whale

A moment of distraction while driving in Spokane leads Donald to collide with the back of a florist's van, damaging stock. He and his cockatiel calmly collect their groceries and walk away, abandoning the taxi and the passengers. This marks the start of his tightly controlled, routine-driven life.

Donald attends a self-help group for autistic adults, where the routine blends social interaction with therapy and analysis. He becomes absorbed in practicing telling his personal stories and calculating sums, which both calms and unsettles him. This setting becomes the doorway to meeting others who might understand his world.

Isabelle Sorenson arrives as a new member, drawing Donald's attention with her own brand of awkward charm and acute focus. The group begins to view her as someone who might share their struggles and quirks. A quiet yet persistent bond starts to form as she participates in the sessions.

In the park, Isabelle shares a childhood memory about her parents' happiness when an Olympian broke a record, which she tried to honor by acting on what she heard. Donald talks about his talent for complex mental sums and his difficulty forming friendships. Isabelle reveals a painful past, unsettling the group but deepening their connection.

Gregory suggests Isabelle escort Donald to a Halloween party, but Isabelle instead asks Donald to take her out for lunch. Their growing rapport becomes the thread that might connect their seemingly isolated lives. The spark of romance begins to take root in more than just friendship.

The next day, Donald and Isabelle spend time wandering the zoo, where they learn more about each other’s quirks and preferences. They discover a shared sense of awkward humor and a fragile trust starting to form between them. The day ends with a promise to meet again.

They arrange to meet in costume on Halloween. Donald dresses as a whale, but he hesitates at the last moment, leaving Isabelle waiting in the crowd dressed as Mozart. They end up wandering the town, sharing their first kiss and moving toward something deeper.

After reconnecting, they go to an amusement park where a simple ring-toss game triggers Isabelle’s breakdown. Donald carries her home and they decide to sleep together, marking a turning point in their relationship. The moment blends tenderness with rising vulnerability.

Back at the self-help group, boundaries come under scrutiny as Gregory accuses Donald of exploiting his position for sexual favors. Isabelle spends time with a younger member, Bronwin, highlighting competing needs and the complexity of their bond. The tension tests their growing closeness.

Isabelle cleans Donald’s apartment, organizing it with meticulous care, which shocks him and triggers a fierce outburst where he accuses her of stealing his life. He storms out, leaving behind the life that’s been slowly rebuilt between them. The moment crystallizes his fear of losing control.

Donald apologizes in person at the hair salon where Isabelle works, and she forgives him. She proudly introduces him as her boyfriend to the staff, signaling a new level of public commitment. The two begin to imagine a shared future with less fear of judgment.

Isabelle leads Donald to an abandoned rooftop they imagine as a place to belong. She envisions a house they could buy together, and a therapist arranges a job interview for Donald as a statistician at a university. He lands the position, and they start moving toward a home of their own.

Donald wants to present a flawless life for a dinner with his boss, but their plans clash with Isabelle’s impulsive energy. They have a heated argument, and she throws him out. He stays with Gregory and then receives a tearful voicemail about Isabelle’s dying rabbit, Bongo, which pushes him to rush to her side; she soon suggests they should just be friends.

Undeterred, Donald invites Isabelle to a restaurant where he proposes, hoping to seal their bond. She leaves abruptly for home and overdoses on an over-the-counter medication, prompting a hospital visit. A psychiatrist advises him to give her space, setting the stage for a crucial moment of choice.

Racing to an abandoned rooftop after the hospital, Donald and Isabelle confront the true depth of their feelings. She explains that the only thing left to give is the choice not to call, and they share a quiet, powerful embrace that redefines their commitment. They have learned to belong to each other in a world that often says they don’t fit.

The film closes on a warm note as Donald and Isabelle appear newly married and celebrate Thanksgiving with their self-help group friends. The gathering emphasizes acceptance, companionship, and the idea that belonging can be found with someone who truly understands you. It’s a hopeful ending that crowns their journey from isolation to partnership.