Mary and Max is an animated film that was both written and directed by Adam Elliot and also acclaimed for Elliot’s unique animation using stop motion. The film is animation yet the film captures the essence of the emotionally mature audience due the to it’s emotionally engaging plot, the nature of storytelling, and the association of the bond of friendship and empathy. The film beautifully captures the essence of a thought provoking pen-pal relationship and the lives of both individuals accomplishing the relationship, painting a picturesque nostalgia of 20 years in two different continents.
Mary’s world, Australia
The story starts in the 1970’s, an 8 year old girl by the name of Mary Daisy Dinkle is a resident of one of the suburbs in Melbourne Australia, Mount Waverley. Mary is an imaginative girl and is also a very lonely girl who enjoys sweetened condensed milk, and also has a large birthmark on her forehead. While the young girl has her fantasies, she is a also a reality due to the emotional detachment of her father. Mr Noel works in a factory and spends a good amount of of his time in the office, while also spending his leisure time in taxidermy of nervous birds. Madam Vera is also some what reticent and more of a habitual.
Mary is often the victim of bullying and has no friends. As dull as her life is, Mary still appreciates the little things in life and has a great imagination. So, one day, while Mary was waiting in the a post office, she has an idea of writing a letter and sending it to a far away place. Out of the blue, she opens a phone book and randomly chooses the name Max Jerry Horovitz from New York.
Max is a 44 year old residing alone in a New York city in a small apartment. There routines that he has include eating chocolate hotdogs, watching cartoons, and collecting vending machine toy figurines. Much like every other person, Max has an issue’s with social interaction. He finds everyday life stressful and constantly suffers from overthinking.
Max is surprised by the letter from Mary, but it certainly has his attention. Out of the blue, he gets a letter from Mary and no one has contacted him in this way. Although he feels anxious and stressed, he has no trouble writing to her and sending it back. His letter is genuine and open, but curious at the same time. From this moment, the two shared a pen-pal moment that lasted over two decades.
The First Together Personal Correspondance
Two people put pen to paper as they share letters to reflect on their unique experiences, fears, and fancies and to seek answers to nagging questions. Mary was fixated on Australia, her family, school, and on the whole Australia, as she wanted to know more about the world. She tries, and to some extent, failes to make sense of America and the people and things around her. In his letters, however, Max also talks about, and does, his best to share his experiences, what it was like to live in New York and the social challenges that relate to it, as well as the world around him.
As the correspondence continues, Max mentions to Mary that he has what he characterizes as a social-emotional development disorder, aspergers. He says it as if it was a medical fact, while it hinges on the truth. All of Max’s behavioral and emotional traits suggest that he relates best to simple, fixed activities, as confirmed by the order and routine he prefers as well as the Mary’s letters, which he cherishes and which bring him the peace he is craving for. In the meantime, Mary is not put off. She is instead, far more appreciative, for the insight into Max’s truth.
As it is evident by their letters, their bond was becoming inseparable. Mary also appeared to gain reassurance in her figure as she started to see Max as a guide more and more. This is what more than anything gave Max the sense of justice and purpose from these conversations He touched the other side from clear to muddy and to a bread and butter of a friendship which was becoming in his grasp instead of endless void as well.
The Passage of Time and the Breach of Relationships
Unlike the past, Mary is now an accomplished young woman. At the university, she powered through and graduated with a degree in Psychology. Part of her motivation in taking an interest in human behavior was due to the remarkable condition of Max. ‘The Case Study of Asperger Syndrome: Max M. ‘ was her thesis. Mary wants to save the world and for that reason uses Asperger Syndrome’s case overly optimistic. Like many others, she hopes to raise awareness and help the ‘masses’ understand people like ‘him’ better. Unfortunately, the world is not good enough to let a thesis of such magnitude come to fruition.
With Mary’s best intentions, she aims to help Asper Syndrome patients. Yet, she seems to completely forget who Max is. From her act, Max is a ‘slightly’ crippled human being and Mary hopes to help and educate the ignorant people who ‘know’ people like Max. In a fit of outrage and confusion, Max decides to block her in all forms of communication. Mary being the delicate sensitive soul that she is, is left heart broken, bloated in an ocean of despair. Mary weeps for the loss of a friend, a friend who understood her more than anyone else. And yes, like Mary, Max also hears the weeping signs the relationship, but it is ‘easier’ for him. Both characters during this span of time undergo personal and mental conflicts, proving that the bonds of eternal companionship are not as straightforward as they seem and there will always be a difference of opinion, even, and more often than not, with the best of friends.
Reconnection and Resolution
In the end, Max thinks about the impact of their friendship and how it was beneficial to him. He had understood the value of Mary in his life; it was not only about the correspondence, but the genuine understanding and friendship that she offered him. He starts writing to her again and this time, conveys his gratitude and also seeks forgiveness. Max ends the letter to Mary by saying that the value she brings to his life is tremendous and therefore, he considers her his best friend.
The sincere act of forgiveness and gratitude brings about some change in Mary, and she is able to think clearly. His speech and words inspired her so much that she chose to go to New York and, for the first time, meet him. He was resting in his armchair, quite relaxed, and have the impression that he never moved. From the ceiling, Mary could spot a collection of letters. In the center of the room, a collection of letters was hung, and it turned out to be all the letters she has discarded throughout time.
Silence never surrounded them; their connection was ever so clear. Mary’s letters, scattered across the room, tell a different story: the touch and power of the relationship is silent, but it was filled with truth, depth, and gentle reality.
Messages and Themes
The topics of Mary and Max include:
Both Mary and Max endure their own struggles. In spite of this, they support each other.
They do not treat individuals exhibiting neurodivergence with lack of empathy. Rather, they educate in a civilized manner in which understanding as well as acceptance is shown to neurodivergent persons.
Understanding and In this case, empathy not only fosters friendship. In fact, it helps overcome misunderstandings and distance.
Unconditional value of friendship is fostered by the film. Such friendships foster the heart.
Story and Visual Techniques
The film illustrates a handcrafted stop motion animation. It has expressive clay characters, sets with muted colors, and a whimsical yet grounded world. It captures the motions in a very unique manner. The animation is complemented by narration which is loose, yet provides insights.
The emotional topics are complex and cover a wide spectrum. These are in support of each other, rather than contradicting. The film is with sentiment, yet not overly so. It is with humor, yet not lack of respect.
Conclusion
Mary and Max is one of the few animation films that transcends the typical barriers of the genre to tell a deeply human story. It shows the triumphs and struggles of friendship and the ellipses of solitude that even the most seemingly unclosable gaps are bridged through connection. It reinforces the notion that friendship is a universal phenomenon that transcends age, distance, and sociocultural differences.
The most captivating feature of the film is its ability to leave the audience with a score of feelings quite contrary to its action. It overwhelms the viewers through the rawness of the characters and how vital it is for everyone to be heard, accepted, and most importantly, loved.
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