Adam

In Max Mayer’s off-beat dramedy Hugh Dancy starts as the eponymous Adam, a loner who suffers from Aspergers, who makes friends with Beth (played by Rose Byrne), his new upstairs neighbour. The film then follows their friendship as it blossoms into romance and the couple struggle to maintain a stable relationship as they both try to live with Adam’s syndrome. Both Dancy and Byrne put in good work and the relationship between the two is certainly believable. Mayer’s approach to Adam’s Aspergers is underplayed and there is no patronising the audience when it comes to showing how it affects Adam and Beth. This also leads to some poignant comic moments. In respect of this, a quick search of the internet shows that Asperger’s sufferers have enjoyed the movie and found it a mature depiction of the disease. It’s a good job that Dancy and Byrne hold the picture though, as it is let down by some seriously stereotypical family and friends, Beth’s Dad and his “he’s not good enough for you” stance being a particular sore-point. In addition, some people may still find the approach and portrayal of someone with the syndrome somewhat fluffy. However, by the films realistic (i.e. not Hollywood) ending you’ll be thinking more about Adam and how a person and their loved ones in reality copes with such a syndrome, and whether that is Mayer’s intention or not, this can only be a good thing.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
No doubt in reality this would be a darker subject, but Mayer’s film still has enough of a mature approach for it to pass inspection, helped by two good leading performances. Rating: 6/10.