Mary and Max (2009)

“Sometimes perfect strangers make best friends.”

I’ve always wanted a pen pal, but not one from online. I’d rather have one by mail. Although, it’s kind of a risk now with all the child molesters and everything, however, sometimes perfect strangers can become the best of friends over the course of years.

Mary and Max is a stop-motion animation film about a little Australian girl, Mary (Toni Collette), who starts a friendship with a New Yorker, Max (Philip Seymour Hoffman), after sending him a letter asking where babies come from in America. The two then start sending each other letters, with their life usually being explained and narrated by the letters they write.

The one thing I love about this film is the animation. To me, films have a greater effect with animation or full on CGI special effects. The stop motion animation added a more child-like feeling to it, almost nostalgic because it reminded me of films such as James and the Giant Peach and The Nightmare Before Christmas. However, this isn’t for the kids; there are a lot of mature themes that are discussed and explored in the film.

The overall mood of the film really brought alive some childhood trauma of bullying, loneliness, etc. Mary is a little with neglectful parents and no friends, while Max is a much older autistic man who also has no friends. Because the film took place in the 1970s, the only means of communication were by mail, which in me did spark up some pre-technological good ol’ days. What also really matched the mood was the animation, which was made very dark and had a very messy setting. Australia was really sunny and just seemed too much of a hell hole, while New York looked like a city overrun by the homeless people. Now this is a compliment and brings out a realization that even in the darkest times, great friendships can emerge.

Voice over isn’t necessarily acting, but it should be given acknowledgement. Hoffman really does give a good job voicing over the role of Max. The facial expressions that the character has and the way he handles things under stresse is given more light due to the tone of Hoffman. Collette also gives a perfect job, voicing over a really gentle tone to very fragile yet vigilant woman.

Mary and Max is a very sweet film that might remind you of a past or current, yet old, friendship. With great animation, mood, and voicing acting, I give the film a 4.5 out of 5 and you can buy it now on DVD (also on Netflix).