Mary & Max

Max

Just watched this movie yesterday. If you've seen and liked Coraline, you'll like this one too. It's claymation, and while the effects and graphics (in my opinion) weren't quite as detailed or as well done as Coraline was, the story itself was extremely well thought-out. The thing about these movies I noticed, was that they are no movie made for children. In fact most of the themes raised include depression, self-acceptance, suicide and friendship.

The story is based on a true story, about an 8 year old girl named Mary Daisy Dinkle who is in search of a true friend, just someone whom she could talk to. With an alcoholic mother and an aloof father interested only in stuffing dead birds, Mary is left to her imagination, a sheet of stolen butcher paper, and a pencil. One day she decides to send a letter to someone she's selected at random in the yellow pages. By fate she selects Max Horowitz of New York--an obese, lonely 40 something man who's life goals include a life supply of chocolate bars, a full collection of his favorite TV show dolls, and one true friend. So when a strange envelope postmarked in a child's handwriting finds its way to Max's mailbox, he responds with his own life story neatly type-written on 3 pages and soon an 18 year-long pen pal friendship forms. Mary's innocent and inquisitive questions force Max to take a look at his own life while Max helps Mary accept herself when no one else had.

It's really a beautiful story, the ups & downs of their friendship. Something about writing to someone you've only met through their words...it opens them up to a world of vulnerability and genuine truth. The movie delineates love, self-worth, forgiveness, and the value of being able to confide in another individual, all wrapped up in comedic one-liners and scenes that'll keep you thinking all the way home.