Movie Review : Mary & Max (2009)

Director : Adam Elliot

Genre: Animation, Dark Comedy, Drama

Cast : Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman

IMDb : 8.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes: 95%

Mary & Max is a claymation movie based on the lives of two pen friends, Mary, a lonely eight year old girl growing up in Melbourne suburbs and Max, an autistic 44 year old obese jew in New York. It's a dark comedy where two people living across continents become friends through letters. They have a lot in common as both love chocolate, enjoy watching a cartoon show called Noblets, and are without friends. 

Max is struggling with obesity, depression and Asperger's syndrome, while Mary suffers from neglect of her parents, and is teased by her peer group at school because of a birth mark on her forehead. They exchange letters (and chocolates) offering support and advice to each other and are brought closer by their isolation and adversities. Over the years we see a beautiful and complex friendship develop which goes through its ups and downs as the characters move ahead in their lives. 

Most of the movie is narrated by Barry Humphries, except the scenes where the characters read the letters. It is unique not only in terms of storytelling but also in the visual appeal, colour scheme and animation style. I doubt if the kids can enjoy the movie as the issues discussed are real life, and the witty narrative even though humorous has a dry gloomy tone. Throughout the movie I laughed a lot, as well as felt sad. A lot of wisdom is hidden in lines like the below one.

Max : [to Mary] Dr. Bernard Hazelhof said if I was on a desert island, then I would have to get used to my own company - just me and the coconuts. He said I would have to accept myself, my warts and all, and that we don't get to choose our warts. They are part of us and we have to live with them. We can, however, choose our friends, and I am glad I have chosen you.

This sweet tale of unlikely friendship is dark and grim, yet full of life. The movie took almost five years to complete and it shows in the great attention to detail in the way New York and Melbourne suburbs are depicted (I read it in the reviews by Americans and Australians). It's a refreshing departure from the usual Disney, Dreamworks and Pixar animation flicks and stands out because of its novelty and the depth of the story.