Film Review: Mary and Max (2009)

The Core Premise: There is more than one theme in this film including issues such as child neglect,friendships,alcoholism, forms of addiction and recovery and the obscurity of life which means the unimportant or state of unknown around it. Bullying is another theme shown and loneliness and even mental illnesses and the possible backlashes from the illnesses for example Max is Autistic, specifically diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and his problems from his complications with how he understands other people leads him into anxiety and isolation. There is also other problematic repercussions from some of these negative themes like obesity,suicide,depression, isolating ones self and anxiety around social situations and also past traumatic memories.

The Animation: Animation was used instead of live footage because it is easier to exploit the medium and explain emotions,problems and difficult experiences through storytelling and keep it interesting and not too upsetting or uncomfortable this also allows the style and exaggeration to fortify these difficulties and also express them.

Production: The Animation was made with clay and is a stop motion which was made using 133 sets and 212 puppets and also 475 miniature props and there was a Underwood typewriter so it could be fully functional this took nine weeks to build and also design.


Reception: The humor is more aimed at and understood by Australian's and the offers Elliot received were from computer animators and he exclaimed that he does not have the interest or knowledge for that and that his work is quite odd and just wants people to watch it, however the film was received rather well outside of his area. And he has visited Pixar and Dream works and says he thinks it is an advantage to not fit in. And he has done well internationally people thought it was funny and had important themes.

Authors: This animation is based on a true story as writer and director Elliot claimed that the character Max was inspired by a pen pal he had been talking to for twenty years who also lived in the same location of New York. This is Adam Elliot. Where Mary grows up is also based on where Elliot grew up as he grew up in a place with the same place e.g. Mount Waverly.