In 1976 Melbourne, a lonely 8-year-old girl strikes up a correspondence with an unlikely pen pal: a severely obese 44-year-old New Yorker with Asperger's syndrome.In 1976 Melbourne, a lonely 8-year-old girl strikes up a correspondence with an unlikely pen pal: a severely obese 44-year-old New Yorker with Asperger's syndrome.In 1976 Melbourne, a lonely 8-year-old girl strikes up a correspondence with an unlikely pen pal: a severely obese 44-year-old New Yorker with Asperger's syndrome.
- Awards
- 6 wins & 9 nominations total
Eric Bana
- Damien Popodopolous
- (voice)
Christopher Massey
- 911 Operator
- (as Chris Massey)
- …
Daisy Kocher
- Alleyway Bully Two
- (voice)
- …
Dan Doherty
- BMX Bandit
- (voice)
Julie Forsyth
- Bus Stop Mother
- (voice)
- …
Mandy Mao
- Cher the Chihuahua
- (voice)
- …
Adam Elliot
- Dr. Bernard Hazelhof
- (voice)
- …
Mr. Peck
- Ethel the Rooster
- (voice)
Michael James Allen
- Ferrari Driver
- (voice)
- (as Michael Allen)
Bernie Clifford
- Garbo One
- (voice)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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Summary
Reviewers say 'Mary and Max' is acclaimed for its distinctive claymation style, engaging narrative, and profound examination of friendship and loneliness. The film addresses mature themes like depression, anxiety, and Asperger's Syndrome, appealing to adult viewers. Voice performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette are lauded for their emotional depth. While the animation is celebrated for its creativity, some find it repetitive. The letter-driven narrative is praised for its originality and poignancy. Despite critiques on pacing and certain story elements, the film is largely considered a touching and intellectually stimulating work of animation.
Featured reviews
Solitude, Isolation & Loneliness...
Masterfully directed, edited and animated to pique your interest from the off, it has you falling into the worlds of Mary and Max and sharing their challenging journeys through life, as well as their genuine, realistic and engaging correspondence and gifts to each other. Stuffed full of sad and sorrowful events, the solitude and isolation felt by both characters is palpable all the way through. Not really a film to make you smile but one that will make you think and that, after all, is what the best of storytelling is really all about.
Pretty great
I hate it when people assume that animation can only be for little kids. Why should an entire medium be relegated to a demographic unlikely to fully appreciate all the work that went into the detail and animation of this stop-motion world? That's not to say that children can't watch this movie - anything "inappropriate" will likely go over their heads - but it is a bit depressing.
I don't have a lot to say about this movie that hasn't already been said. Everything from the animation to the voice acting to the story is absolutely fantastic and I would highly recommend watching.
I don't have a lot to say about this movie that hasn't already been said. Everything from the animation to the voice acting to the story is absolutely fantastic and I would highly recommend watching.
mary and max
When I was young, I wanted to be anyone except myself. Dr. Bernard said: I must accept myself, my shortcomings and all. We cannot choose our shortcomings, they are also part of us, and we must adapt to them. However, we can choose our friends and I am very happy to choose you.
Masterpiece!
To say it short, this movie is about a friendless 8 year old girl in Australia who befriends an obese 44 year old male in New York by writing mails to each other.
I'm not a big animation fan, so I wasn't looking forward to see this movie. I am currently working on the IMDb Top 250 list and Mary and Max just entered the IMDb top 250, so I took a look at it.
I watched it with a small screen on my computer while chatting with someone on Facebook. But then I logged out because I got hooked by the fantastic but sad narration mixed with humor by Barry Humphries, so I watched it with a big screen. Thank God that I did that, because this is an unforgettable and heartbreaking cinematic experience! It got fantastic narration and dialogue that will make you laugh and cry!
PS.There are many scenes that will choke you up, so bring some tissues.
PSS.Don't watch this movie with your kids!
I hope this review was useful!
I'm not a big animation fan, so I wasn't looking forward to see this movie. I am currently working on the IMDb Top 250 list and Mary and Max just entered the IMDb top 250, so I took a look at it.
I watched it with a small screen on my computer while chatting with someone on Facebook. But then I logged out because I got hooked by the fantastic but sad narration mixed with humor by Barry Humphries, so I watched it with a big screen. Thank God that I did that, because this is an unforgettable and heartbreaking cinematic experience! It got fantastic narration and dialogue that will make you laugh and cry!
PS.There are many scenes that will choke you up, so bring some tissues.
PSS.Don't watch this movie with your kids!
I hope this review was useful!
10ori_64
So excellent, that I couldn't recommend it more!
It's hard to describe just how excellent this film is. The story is great, both very funny and touching. The art-design and animation are a delight, thoughtful, very rich in details, and very consistent in style. The music is great. The storyline and direction... I can't find a bad word to say, except that the story drags a little half- way through, but then picks itself up again toward the end. Truly, a must-see. If you like adult animation, this is definitely for you. I agree with those comparing it to Aardman films, Waltz with Bashir and Persepolis, but this movie's animation is so professional, that only Aardman truly compares.
Did you know
- TriviaIt took 2400 teaspoons of lubricant to create the ocean when Max imagines himself on a desert island.
- GoofsPart of the movie is set in Australia and part of the movie is set in New York, however, the cars always drive on the left side of the road, even the scene in New York.
- Quotes
Max Jerry Horovitz: The reason I forgive you is because you are not perfect. You are imperfect. And so am I. All humans are imperfect.
- Crazy creditsBefore the end credits the next quote appears: "God gave us our relatives; thank God we can choose our friends" by Ethel Watts Mumford.
- ConnectionsFeatured in De wereld draait door: Episode #5.148 (2010)
- SoundtracksPerpetuum Mobile
Composed by Simon Jeffes
Published by Editions Penguin Café Ltd
Performed by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra (as Penguin Café Orchestra)
Licensed by Fable Music Pty Ltd on behalf of Zopf Ltd
Details
Box office
- Budget
- A$8,240,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $1,740,791
- Runtime
- 1h 32m(92 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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