Adam (2009/I)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Max Mayer

Writer:

Max Mayer (written by)

Release Date:

7 August 2009 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A story about two strangers. One a little stranger than the other...

Plot:

Adam, a lonely man with Asperger's Syndrome, develops a relationship with his upstairs neighbor, Beth.

Plot Keywords:

Asperger's Syndrome | Raccoon | Central Park New York City | Macaroni And Cheese | One Word Title

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Hugh Dancy	...	Adam Raki
Rose Byrne	...	Beth Buchwald
Peter Gallagher	...	Marty Buchwald
Amy Irving	...	Rebecca Buchwald
Frankie Faison	...	Harlan
Mark Linn-Baker	...	Sam Klieber
Haviland Morris	...	Lyra
Adam LeFevre	...	Mr. Wardlow
Mike Hodge	...	Judge
Peter O'Hara	...	Williams
John Rothman	...	Beranbaum
Terry Walters	...	Michael
Susan Porro	...	Jen
Maddie Corman	...	Robin
Jeff Hiller	...	Rom

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, sexual content and language.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #45298) | Ireland:15A | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Olympus Pictures

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Beth's father calls her "Bethany", but in her book at the end her name is shown as "Elizabeth".

Quotes:

[first lines]
Beth Buchwald: My favorite children's book is about a little prince who came to earth.

Movie Connections:

Features "Inside the Actors Studio: (#3.9)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

Plastic Flowers

Realistic, well-written portrayal of a frequently misunderstood subject

As someone who actually does suffer from Asperger's Syndrome, it is easier for me than it might be for some people to understand and relate to many of the things that Adam says and does. I have been apprehensive in the past about viewing films that deal with this sort of subject, as I have learned that many of them paint stereotypical, unrealistic, and occasionally belittling portraits of people in my place or other similar situations. I was pleasantly surprised upon viewing this, as it really hit home in many ways. I often found myself saying "this reminds me of me" when watching Adam live his life from day to day (though we are very dissimilar in that I would never have a tantrum in front of a girl). Finally, this is quite possibly the most down to earth movie of its kind, as there is nothing that happens in it that cannot or is overly unlikely to happen in real life. Unfortunately, I cannot give it a perfect rating, because as impressive as its portrayal of Asperger's syndrome is, the story itself is weak and uninspiring and not as compelling and heart-wrenching as it ought to be.