Evan Mitchell James was born on April 24, 1991 to Beth and Dennis James. It was a time of pure elation for the couple who had tried for years to have a child. After several heartbreaking miscarriages, Beth gave birth to Evan – a beautiful and joyous miracle that from every early indication was everything the Jameses were hoping for. All seemed well in Evan’s earliest years. But when he hit two-years-old Beth began worrying about her son’s development. By age three, Evan had been diagnosed with autism.

Beth, Evan, and their resilient mother-son relationship form the core of “You Have No Idea” – a new documentary that’s as much about information and awareness as it is a heartfelt personal story. Director Alexander Jeffery thoughtfully weaves all of those elements together in an evocative film that pulls at our heartstrings while enlightening us to a number of past and present-day truths.

Born in Canada, raised in El Dorado, Arkansas, and residing in Shreveport, Louisiana, filmmaker Alexander Jeffery’s empathy-rich and life-affirming project began as a video tribute to a loving and committed mother. Moved and inspired himself, Jeffery turned his tribute into a feature-length documentary that thoughtfully yet honestly tells the story of Evan James and his incredible support system anchored by his intensely devoted mother Beth.

Jefferey directed, produced, edited, and shot “You Have No Idea” which features a well-incorporated mix of interviews, live recordings, home movies, and family snapshots to tell Evan’s story. We learn that he was a sweet, pleasant, and happy baby. We hear how concerns surfaced during his toddler years when he wasn’t speaking or responding to the simplest commands. We see his enrollment into the public school system and the obstacles he had to navigate. Yet despite the many difficulties and challenges he faced, Evan remained big-hearted and fun-loving with some pointing out his “contagious energy”.

But the documentary is just as much (if not more) about Beth, a strong and determined mother driven by her unwavering love for her son. Beth’s story is an inspiration in itself, beginning with Evan’s autism diagnosis in the early 1990s. At that time autism wasn’t the topic of conversation that it would eventually become. Unlike today resources were scarce; there was no information at your fingertips. Doctors hadn’t grasped what they were dealing with meaning they didn’t know how to properly treat it.

So Beth took it upon herself to learn as much as she could in order to give her son his best life. Jeffery documents her exhaustive efforts which proved to be transformative, not just for Evan but for herself and many others who witnessed her works and the fruit they produced. This is perhaps best displayed in the incredible network of family members and close friends (affectionately known as Evan’s Village). Each take on essential roles in Evan’s life and in turn see their lives impacted as well.

Jeffery does a terrific job balancing Beth’s journey with its impact on Evan. By offering a more intimate examination he’s able to burrow behind common misconceptions, offering an unvarnished first-hand perspective. Whether its through emotional personal testimonies or his revealing yet unobtrusive camera, Jeffery offers his audience a clear-eyed look into Beth and Evan’s shared life – one marked by many uplifting highs but also some devastating lows.

On a side note, I’ve been married nearly 30 years to a wonderful woman who has devoted much of her life to Special Education. Understandably, she’s taken a special interest in Jeffery’s film. Yes, it tells an affecting true story and open eyes to the real-life family struggles that can be associated with raising a child on the autism spectrum. But in many ways it’s also a reassurance for those working in essential fields – teachers, therapists, and nurses (among others) who are having a tremendous impact in the lives of those with autism and their families. It’s yet another beautiful facet of this urgent and endearing documentary. “You Have No Idea” is now streaming on Prime Video.

VERDICT – 4 STARS