Review of Keep the Change (2018) by Leslie C — 18 Apr 2018

KEEP THE CHANGE is the debut feature film by Rachel Israel about two people with autism who find romance in this warm and honest New York City romantic comedy. David (Brandon Polansky) meets Sarah (Samantha Elisofon) while attending a court ordered support group for autistic people.

After several failed attempts to establish a connection with women online, he reluctantly decides to accompany Sarah for a group assignment at the Brooklyn bridge. Sarah approaches her autism with direct honesty, but often overlooks how other people respond to her open sexual candidness and lack of understanding jokes.

David, often brushing his disability aside and seemingly meant for bigger things, ultimately accepts his love for Sarah and his own need for help that culminates in a final scene of him reaching out to the rejected and defeated Sarah, first by David's family and then a stage performance when she understands how she is different.

While the film does follow the standard formula for a romance genre film, KEEP THE CHANGE wisely avoids stereotypes and clichés by featuring authentic non-actors whose honest portrayals is so convincing that it is easy to forget they are characters in a film.

The authentic New York City locations help enhance the realistic premise that explores the universal theme of fitting into society as a functional person with a heartfelt and authentic approach, despite the low budget, occasional continuity flaw and shaky camera.