Welcome to Movie Prairie’s review of Mary and Max. This 2009 stop-motion animated film is directed and written by Oscar award winner, Adam Elliot.
In this article, we will be exploring the themes and animation style of the movie Mary and Max. This stop-motion animated film is a touching exploration of an unlikely friendship between two very different individuals: Mary, an eight-year-old girl from Melbourne, Australia, and Max, a middle-aged man from New York with Asperger’s Syndrome.
I recently watched this quirky and emotional movie and thought that it would be a great one to review. Some moments were hilarious while others were somber- making it a true tragicomedy. So without further ado, let’s get into the details and what makes this movie so special.
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See below for movie details and watch the Mary and Max trailer on the movie page!
- Year of Release: 2009
- Production Company: Melodrama Pictures
- Distributor: Icon Entertainment International
- Director: Adam Elliot
- Screenplay: Adam Elliot
- Length: 92 minutes
Mary and Max Voice Cast
- Toni Collette as Mary Daisy Dinkle
- Philip Seymour Hoffman as Max Jerry Horowitz
- Barry Humphries as the Narrator
Where to Stream Mary and Max
If you’re looking to watch Mary and Max, you have several options:
- Mary and Max’s full movie is available for streaming on various platforms.
- Mary and Max where to watch: Check services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu.
- Mary and Max YouTube: Sometimes available for rent or purchase.
- Mary and Max full movie: Available on DVD and Blu-ray as well
Mary and Max Plot Summary
Mary’s Early Life
The story begins in 1970s Australia with Mary Daisy Dinkle, an eight-year-old girl living in Melbourne. Mary is a lonely child, neglected by her dysfunctional family. Her mother, Vera, is an alcoholic who frequently drinks sherry and steals food, which she calls “borrowing.” Her father, Noel, is emotionally distant, preferring to spend his time working in a factory where he attaches strings to tea bags.
Mary, an “accident baby,” dreams of finding a friend and a future husband named Earl Grey- like the tea. She has no siblings and is often teased at school for her birthmark and her unconventional appearance.
A Question
One day, Mary decides to find a pen pal to ask “Where do babies come from?” She picks a name from a New York phone book and writes to Max Jerry Horowitz, a 44-year-old man living in New York City.
Max, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, lives a solitary life filled with routines and peculiar habits. He struggles with obesity, often attending weight loss anonymous meetings. He also struggles with social anxiety and a literal understanding of the world. Max finds solace in activities like watching “The Noblets,” a favorite TV show he shares with Mary.
Building a Connection
As Mary and Max exchange letters, they form a deep bond. Mary learns about Max’s condition and the challenges he faces, while Max offers Mary advice and support through her difficult childhood.
They share their love for “The Noblets” and other interests, creating a unique connection despite the physical distance and their struggles. Mary shares pictures of her life and her neighbor, Len. Hilariously, Mary thinks Len suffers from Homophobia because he is afraid to leave his “home.”
Both Mary and Max also love chocolate and exchange strange but interesting recipes like chocolate hotdogs as well as a variety of their favorite chocolates.
Additionally, both end their letters with numerous and absurdly funny P.S.’s like “I have never used a condom,” and “ I love sweetened condensed milk.”
Max’s Struggles and Triumphs
Max continues to face his challenges. His anxiety often overwhelms him, and he is institutionalized for a period. His depression started after reading a letter from Mary asking about his experience with love. This triggered a severe anxiety attack, landing him in a mental institution for 8 months.
Despite these difficulties, Max achieves several life goals, including winning the lottery and buying a lifetime supply of chocolates and the total collection of “Noblets” characters. After getting back, he preferred to hang out with his imaginary friend, Mr. Ravioli, because he was easier to deal with than Mary.
Eventually, Max remains a supportive friend to Mary, even when her letters inadvertently cause him stress and anxiety.
Mary Goes to College
Over the years, Mary grows up, goes to university, and marries her neighbor, Damian. However, her life is not without challenges.
Mary studies mental health and decides to write a book about Asperger’s Syndrome, using Max as a case study. She hopes to meet Max in person to celebrate the book’s publication.
The Conflict
The turning point in their relationship comes when Max reads Mary’s book. Feeling betrayed and exposed, he writes a letter expressing his hurt and anger.
This leads to a period of silence between them, during which Mary falls into a deep depression and attempts suicide.
Fortunately, she decides to live and her neighbor Len overcomes his agoraphobia to bring her Max’s letter and collection.
Reconciliation and Conclusion
Max eventually forgives Mary and sends her his entire “Noblets” collection, symbolizing his enduring friendship. Mary, touched by this gesture, realizes the importance of their bond. The film concludes on a hopeful note, with Mary planning to visit Max in New York.
Themes and Character Development
Below are three major themes of the film:
- Loneliness and Friendship: Both Mary and Max are isolated in their worlds, but their letters provide them with a lifeline. The film depicts how meaningful connections can form despite physical distances and personal differences.
- Mental Health: Max’s Asperger’s Syndrome and Mary’s struggles with depression are central to the narrative. The film portrays their conditions with sensitivity and depth, highlighting the importance of understanding and acceptance.
- Growth and Change: Over the years, both characters undergo significant changes. Mary grows up, goes to university, and gets married, but she also faces severe depression. Max, on the other hand, learns to manage his condition better and ultimately finds a way to forgive and reconnect with Mary.
The Animation
The animation style of Mary and Max is distinctive. The use of brown tones (Mary’s favorite color) with occasional splashes of red (such as Mary’s hairclip, the mailbox, and lipstick marks) creates a visually striking contrast.
The stop-motion technique adds a handmade quality to the film, making the characters’ world feel both real and whimsical.
The film uses stop motion and claymation techniques, giving it a distinctive look and feel.
In an interview with ACMI, the director, Adam Elliot, provides glimpses into the production of the film. Elliot explained that each film took an average of 5 years to make- wow! He also showed how the characters parts were put on with magnets, so that mouths and ears and limbs could be easily changed.
Similarly, for the making of Mary and Max, multiple sculptors were hired to learn Elliot’s sculpting style and to assist in creating over 200 characters. Each character, prop, and set were hand crafted for the film.
Is Mary and Max a True Story?
Is Mary and Max a true story? Yes, the film is based on a real story inspired by director Adam Elliot’s pen-friendship with a man in New York. This adds a layer of authenticity and emotional depth to the narrative.
After watching an interview with the director, he stated that all of the characters in his films are based on true stories.
Mary and Max: My Take
After watching Mary and Max, I found that it is a beautiful and meaningful film that wonderfully blends humor and tragedy. The relationship between Mary and Max is heartwarming and thought-provoking.
The film allowed me to glance into the perspective of both Mary and Max. Mary was a neglected girl who had big questions about life. On the other hand, Max was a misunderstood middle-aged adult with Asbergers.
With these two perspectives, I learned about their challenges and how important it is to empathize with others who may be different from myself. From Mary’s perspective, she thought that Max would like to know that she was working on a cure for his Asperger’s syndrome. Unfortunately, Mary may not have understood that Max was proud to be an “Asbie” and didn’t want to change.
Favorite Quotes
The film is filled with memorable quotes. One standout is Max’s moving line: “The reason I forgive you is because you are not perfect. You are imperfect. And so am I. All humans are imperfect.” This Mary and Max quote encapsulates the film’s core message about acceptance and understanding.
Another of my favorite quotes is “We do not get to choose our warts. They are a part of us, and we have to live with them. We can however choose our friends. And I am glad I have chosen you.”
Other quotes that I enjoyed in the movie include:
- “You are my best friend. My only friend.”
- “If only there was a mathematical equation for love.”
- “True friendship is revealed through the heart and not through the eyes.”
- “Don’t worry about not smiling, my mouth hardly ever smiles, but that does not mean I am not smiling inside my brain.”
- “People often confuse me, but I try to not let them worry me.”
My Favorite Scene
One of my favorite scenes is when Max enters a doctor’s office and reads a sign that says, “Take a seat.” In the next scene, he is seen on a bus carrying the seat with him. This moment, which I caught while watching the trailer, highlights Max’s literal interpretation of the world and adds a touch of humor to his character.
I also quite enjoyed the scene where Max tells Mary to tell her bully that her birthmark was made of chocolate and that she was in charge of all the chocolate in the world. The fact that the bully cried just vindicated Mary for all the bullying that she had to endure.
About the Director
Adam Elliot is and Oscar award winning animation director and writer known for his tragicomedies and unique animation style. In an interview with ACMI, Elliot explained how he considers his work to be “clayography,” which is the combination of the words clay and biography. This is because, he uses claymation to tell a story about a particular character’s life.
His works often explore themes of human connection, isolation, and personal struggles, with Mary and Max being one of his most acclaimed pieces. In an interview with ACMI, Elliot explained that as a child, he enjoyed being around the kids that were considered outsiders or underdogs. Through his animation style and storytelling, Elliot hopes to inspire his audience to put themselves into the shoes of people who are different from themselves.
Other stop-motion films by Elliot include Harvey Krumpet (2003) and Ernie Biscuit (2015).
Recommendation
I highly recommend Mary and Max to anyone interested in stop-motion animation, tragicomedies, and learning more about Asperger’s Syndrome. It’s a touching film that offers valuable lessons on friendship and acceptance.
Conclusion
Mary and Max is a heartfelt exploration of an unusual friendship that transcends geographical and emotional barriers. Through its charming animation and poignant narrative, the film invites viewers to reflect on the nature of human connection and the importance of empathy and understanding. Whether you are drawn to its unique visual style or its profound themes, Mary and Max is a film that leaves a lasting impact.
Already seen Mary and Max? Do you have a favorite character or quote? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. And as always—keep watching!
If you enjoyed this film, you might also like similar movies like Harvie Krumpet. Checkout my Harvie Krumpet review here!
Resources
For more detailed information about the film, you can refer to sources like IMDb and AllMovie (AllMovie) (Raising Children Network).
As a movie lover, especially classic 2D animation, I launched this blog as a guide to keep fellow enthusiasts updated on the latest news and information about films and shows. Through Movie Prairie, I strive to share my insights and recommendations, inviting you to explore and appreciate the magic of movies just as much as I do. Join me on this as we delve into the captivating world of film together.
