Adam

  

52552 comments so far (is that a lot?)http://www.parcbench.com/2009/08/27/adam/Adam2009-08-27+06%3A30%3A58Greg+Victor

Written by Greg VictorcloseAuthor: Greg Victor Name: Greg Victor
Email: Greg@parcbench.com
Site:
About: Greg Victor (Parcbench Culture Editor) is a historian, pop culture critic, and theatrical dramaturg and has stage managed theatrical productions on Broadway and on tour, including Billy Joel's "Movin' Out", Monty Python's "Spamalot" and more.See Authors Posts (225) on August 27, 2009

“ADAM” (Film Review)

Rating: PG-13 (brief strong language)

Director: Max Mayer

“Adam” is one of this year’s most sensitive love stories. It is a quiet film very likely to pass under the radar of big summer blockbusters that will receive much more publicity. Which is why I urge you to seek it out and do yourself a favor by seeing it. It is an independent film; an unconventional look at an unconventional romance.

“Adam” is the story of young man (played by Hugh Dancy in a breakout performance) who is able to function (as well as any of us can) in society, but has some quirky moments. The reason for his unique behavior is that he has Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism. He has a natural sense of wonder and an equal amount of candor. He meets his new neighbor, Beth (played with just the right sense of adventure by Rose Byrne), who is ready for a relationship with a guy as challenging as Adam.

The two have a chemistry that grows slowly, as they take small steps toward a relationship. Communication difficulties ensue, sometimes comedic, sometimes painful, and one point, Beth states “this is not prime relationship material.” We watch the film asking ourselves if we can recall any relationship in our own lives that was not full of conflict at some points. Isn’t Adam deserving of the same emotional turmoil we without Asperger’s put ourselves through? It’s all part of the experience of falling in love.

Hugh Dancy is a marvel as Adam. If Dustin Hoffman won an Academy Award as “Rain Man,” then Hugh Dancy deserves one for his very precise and more nuanced performance. The other brilliant work in the film comes from Amy Irving (as Beth’s resilient mother) in a carefully crafted role.

While Asperger’s Syndrome is by no means the subject of this film, we do get to see first-hand how having it affects Adam’s daily life. Adam describes his inability to pick up social signals as “mind blindness.” It is admirable they way the film gives us insight into Asperger’s, not by attempting to represent a whole community, but by letting us become acquainted with one individual.

The film is effectively shot, with many of the settings revealing an ordinariness that helps maintain the proper scale for the intimate story. The introduction of a subplot involving Beth’s parents (Peter Gallagher and Amy Irving) and their legal troubles seems obvious at first. But eventually it forces us to question what qualities we value most – material success, or honesty?

Writer/director Max Mayer should be commended for the very realistic and bittersweet ending that he gives this romantic comedy/drama. In a world where we are all wired somewhat differently, it was refreshing to see a summer film release full of heart and insight with two characters and the connection they make.

–

Best line in the film: (Adam) “I’m not Forrest Gump, you know.”

Related Articles

No related photos.