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ADAM

With Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving, Frankie Faison, Mark Linn-Baker

Written & Directed by Max Mayer

Adam is obsessed with outer space, and quite bright, but his dysfunction of Asperger's Syndrome makes it difficult for him to interact with people, as he says exactly what's on his mind, no sugar coating, lies or withholding of his thoughts. When his father dies he has to start facing the world out there. After meeting a woman in the apartment block, he slowly comes out of his shell, but there are so many things set to go wrong (or at least lead to miscommunication due to “normal” people not ready for his way of looking at the world and saying it like it is with no guard in front of his mouth - easily leading to embarrassing moments).
Part drama, comedy and romance, Adam is not a comfortable movie to watch, as not all tales with dysfunctional people carry the weight of Rain Man. These kind of movies can readily become irritating to the audience. Adam grazes it by a hair. Sure, we have compassion for them and their inability to adapt to the greater world out there, but that doesn't mean it's something we want to sit and watch. Does it spur most of us on to get out there and help people in that situation? Probably not. But hopefully it helps in us having more understanding and patience when it comes to interacting with special needs individuals when encountering them in reality.

Extra features include an alternate ending (with commentary), and behind-the-scenes featurette.

4 / C
- Paul Blom


0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

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6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice

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