Review of Mary and Max (2009) by Mike C — 17 Dec 2013

Damn near worth a bravo. IMDB users have it rated at No. 180 on the top 250 movies of all-time list. I will not go that far, I don't think, but it's definitely a great, unique, thoughtful, emotional movie.

Despite the animation, this is not a kid's movie, nor does it pretend to be. It's very dark throughout, and the opening lines hint that it is not for kids. As the plot progresses, there is really nothing but mature topics: mental illness, loneliness, friendship. Though quite slow, the story kind of sucks you in and the little animated freaks become very much real. Much better characters than most movies.

There is plenty of comedy in the movie as well. Mary is an odd little girl with odd little questions. Max has Asperger's and is very awkward, sometimes inappropriate. Again, it's just great writing to build the characters this way and let them work through their problems.

So, pretty top notch. I've just never seen anything like it. Someone on imdb compared it to Up, and I do remember a short montage in that animated movie packing quite a punch. Mary and Max is definitely darker and, I think, more mature. To make these very unrealistic characters in this very unrealistic looking setting seem so real is a testament to the effort in writing. Good stuff.