Review of Mary and Max (2009) by Harry W — 21 Nov 2013

Mary and Max is a lot of things, with its main two being that it's an emotionally strong story and benefits from excellent animation thanks to the impeccable work of director Adam Elliot.

Mary and Max is so powerful that it makes you forget about how it stretches a thin and basic premise for a prolonged time period which feels like 88 minutes that are much longer than they actually are. By that I mean Mary and Max is able to make a short film of 88 minutes feel like a lot longer than that. And although elements of that make it seem slow, it also means that it gives plenty of time for audiences to really get a grip on just what is going on.

It's a powerful story in Mary and Max because of its titular two characters who face serious issues at converse ages which are serious issues that aren't explored enough in films, but Adam Elliot explores Asperger's syndrome, body image, loneliness, childhood, old age, suicide and agoraphobia. He does it all in a manner that is clever and insightful thanks to an intelligent script and fine direction, and the excellent claymation creates a visual appeal which just adds more benefit to the experience of watching Mary and Max.

It's an emotional journey in Mary and Max, and it's difficult not to cry or sympathise with the characters because they're all too easy to either connect to or feel for because we have all felt like them at times, and as the bond between the characters grows so does the bond between them and the viewers and it all develops really well so that Mary and Max is constantly a very strong story which becomes better as it progresses and can make viewers laugh and cry as they please, and frankly it deserves an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature since it tackled such mature themes head on with excellent animation, an insightful script and talented voice acting which reminds us how director Adam Elliot scored an Academy Award in the first place.

Really, Mary and Max is not for the weak hearted, unless they're willing to take a long emotional journey with excellent animation and powerful direction over a prolonged period of 88 minutes.