Review of Mary and Max (2009) by Zhi Yang T — 05 Jun 2011

Five words to begin, THE BEST ANIMATED MOVIE EVER.

Mary and Max is a powerful and heartwarming motion picture that kept me engaged throughout the whole movie from start till finish. It was directed and crafted beautifully by Australian independent stop-motion animation writer and director, Adam Elliot, who won an Academy Award for the Best Animated Short Film for Harvie Krumpet, a short clay animation film where he gained his fame for clay movies.

After then, he moved on to direct his first feature film, Mary and Max. The film deals with themes including childhood neglect, teasing, loneliness, autism (Asperger's Syndrome in particular), obesity, depression and anxiety. All of it were expressed so well in animation that I was completely impressed. The film tells the story of 8-year-old Mary Daisy Dinkle (Toni Collette) who is a lonely little girl living in Melbourne, Australia, whose relatively poor family cannot afford to buy her toys or nice clothing. She is teased by children at her school due to an unfortunate birthmark on her forehead and her shoddy clothing, her father is distant and her alcoholic, kleptomaniac mother provides no support. One day, by pure chance, she decides to write a letter to a man living in New York City: Max Jerry Horowitz (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Max, an obese man with a tragic past and a history of mental illness, writes back. It is eventually revealed that Max suffers from Asperger syndrome. The two continue exchanging letters for the better part of a decade, bonding over a love of chocolate and shared loneliness. Mary and Max eventually become best friends.

They then started a trend of writing letters to one another for a very long time, sometimes sending chocolate bars or other gifts.

It also shows the friendly relationship of two individuals who haven't met at all and of a large difference in their age group. The film is generally black and white as it tells a rather dark tale but heartwarming. The clay stop motion effects was very well done, two thumbs up!

Though this may be an animated film, but it is not entirely suitable for young viewers. It is a rather dark film that deals with real-life issues and extreme depression. The film also shows the troubled family of Mary Daisy Dinkle where her mother steals things and taught her that it was called "borrowing", also, her mother was an alcoholic and heavy smoker who don't really pay much care and concern to her daughter.

Mary and Max also tells the story of two different people of different area in the world who do not have any friends in the outside world.

The film may be heartwarming, but also heartbreaking at the same time. I admit, I almost cried at the conclusion of the film, it was a happy yet sad ending so to say.

With the voice acting of Golden Globe nominated actress, Toni Collette and Academy Award winner, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, this movie is truly complete and perfect.

Mary and Max is a 100% FRESH for me. Indeed, a beatiful film that should be enjoyed by everyone. There is no doubt in this movie. A story of life and friendship of two very different people who lived far far away from one another. You will find laughter and sadness in the film, but most importantly, happiness. :).