The Balance of Mary and Max

In Mary and Max, the film finds a perfect balance between pathos and tragedy. Through raw narration and often times disgusting portrayals of too much poop, the film allows for the somber undertones that haunt Mary and Max to shine through but not to an overwhelming, harrowing effect. Our characters’ endearing personalities and often childlike naivety shown through the letters they write to one another, portrays both Mary and Max as children simply walking the path of life. However, the audience is granted the outside perspective of these characters lives and recognize immediately that Mary is being raised by a drunk mother and an absent, morbid father. It is easily distinguished from the start that something is off about Max as well. We do not learn he is dealing with Asperger’s until half the movie has passed yet we know that Max struggles with anxiety, not typical of a mentally stable person. Since our characters live their lives with often rye humor and do not recognize the tragedy in their own existence, the film does not overwhelm viewers with some of the more depressing aspects incorporated in the story.  I found Mary and Max to be a refreshing take on the life many people struggle with, without making an over the top statement about bullying, mental disability and friendship. Mary and Max is a quiet film about loud subjects.