Mary and Max- review

Is this "Ghost World"?

If you are looking for a more mature fair when it comes to claymation look no further than “Mary and Max”.  This is a movie that addresses lots of heavy subjects: Childhood neglect, teasing, alcoholism, suicide, obesity, and autism.  However, it also has a lot of heart.  It’s an incredibly well done movie with lots of sensitivity and care. 

I guess "Calvin" here couldn't find a Ford to piss on.

The year is 1976.  Mary is a friendless little girl in Australia.  She gets a random address from the post office for a man in America.  The man happens to be a 44 year old obese man who lives a lonely life in New York.  They become pen pals and develop a real strong friendship that lasts through the years and many ups and downs.

Weebles wooble but they don't fall down.

The cast list involves many big name celebrities such as Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Eric Bana.  However, unlike many other animated features it’s pretty hard to recognize.  I found it easy to get lost in how very amazing the style of the claymation style was.  The choice of color and the facial expressions are wonderful.  As a side note I also love it when it when claymation shows enough handiwork that there are fingerprints in the clay characters.

I don't think that shirt will catch
on for Asperger's Syndrome awareness.

“Mary and Max” is a real gem.  If you want to see something different this will really be up your alley.  It’s a great story and it’s not like most animated features.  The humor is dark and the subject matter is mature.  It’s not for little children.  It’s a strong drama but it is also funny, sad and really dramatic at points.  The movie lets you see how two lonely people from two corners of the globe can change each others lives in such incredible ways.