 A True Picture of Asperger Disorder |
| Review Date: January 13, 2010 |
| Reviewer: S. Bordelon, Louisiana USA |
| I cried during a lot of this movie....my young son has Asperger Disorder, and this is the most accurate depiction of a person on the Autism Spectrum that I've ever seen. I cried tears of joy that someone finally "got it," and will make others aware of the challenges and gifts of persons affected by Asperger's. I cried because I know my son's life will be more difficult due to his Asperger's. I cried because the world will present obstacles to him that I will not always be there to help him with. I cried because when we left the theater, my son was staring thoughtfully and I asked him to share his thoughts and he said...."Wow, I didn't realize that I would still have Asperger's when I grow up." I hope this movie brings awareness of autism to a large audience, and people will open themselves to getting to know a person with the disability....to become friends....and to realize the beautiful treasure that having a friend on the autism spectrum is. Too many people with Asperger's are lonely, ignored, unemployed, rejected, teased, and bullied. I hope this movie helps to change that in a small or big way, for my son and others....This is a lovely movie - it's funny, romantic, hopeful, and a great love story - you will never forget it. |
I have Asperger's
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| Review Date: September 12, 2009 |
| Reviewer: L. Reynolds, United States |
| I have Asperger's and I think that the portrayal of Asperger's in this film is wonderful. It is nice to have a movie I can relate to. Anyone who wishes to understand Asperger's better should see this film. It outranks Mozart and the Whale. |
Overlooked gem
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| Review Date: January 7, 2010 |
| Reviewer: D. Singh, Grapevine, TX United States |
| Overall, I found this to be an engaging, sweet movie much like the main characters in the film. As a parent of a young son with autism, I'm pleased Hollywood has evolved from "Rainman" to portraying a more realistic look at life on the autism spectrum. For those unfamiliar with or untouched by autism (unfortunately, more of us are), don't worry - the movie doesn't set out to educate the masses on the disorder. Also, the filmmakers don't betray the characters or the story by supplying the standard happy ending. Instead, the end is genuine, satisfying and most of all hopeful for all of us, especially my son. |
A fascinating look inside an "Aspie" life
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| Review Date: August 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Sharon Isch, Washington, DC USA |
The ability to empathize--or "walk in someone else's shoes," can be particularly difficult for people with Asperger's syndrome, an offshoot of autism. That may be at least partly because Aspies, as they call themselves, can't read the body language or other "social signals" that give the rest of us important clues about what's really going on with other people. It wouldn't occur to an Aspie to tell a white lie or dissemble; they take themselves and all else literally. "Adam" is a fictional look at the life of one such young man and how he comes to cope with and surmount this particular disorder--especially as applied to romance and career.
I wanted to see this movie because I'd heard such great things about Hugh Dancy's performance in it and because in the past few years I've gotten to know, slightly, two exceptionally interesting people with Asperger's syndrome and wanted to know more about it. Luckily, before I saw it, I happened upon a rave review written by an "Aspie" and was able to go into the movie armed with his assurance that the filmmakers mostly got it right.
So--accuracy aside--how is "Adam" as entertainment? Excellent, in my view. In short order our hero, a lifetime New Yorker, finds himself newly orphaned, attracted to a young woman who's just moved into his building, out of a job...and totally at sea about what to do about any of it. Hugh Dancy as "Adam" is every bit as terrific as the press he's getting. And he gets great support from his co-stars, director and a story that not only rings true but also has a great sense of humor and (most unusual for a rom-com) doesn't telegraph its ending and, when it gets there, opts for believability over mush.
Also recommended: "Parallel Play," Pulitzer Prize winner Tim Page's deeply personal account of growing up with undetected Asperger's. The book is available here. A shorter version under the same title appeared in the New Yorker on 8/20/07 and is available at their web site. |
Incredible movie that had me hooked
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| Review Date: January 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Gabriel Lopez, |
I give this film a standing ovation and applaud everyone involved with this movie and the fact that the movie portrayed a relationship in an honest light showing both the ugly and beautiful moments. I give this movie the highest possible recommendation, watch this movie, buy this movie, and show this movie to your friends. I just pre-ordered 5 copies. I think I am a little biased having a family member with autism as well as being a professional in the autism field, but I truly fell in love with this movie. Honestly, for once I found myself not being bored with a movie, I laughed and cried. Yes, I cried. I will never admit to that again and I will pretend to not have written this if ever asked but I cried. This film is genuinely good, something that is hard to come by.
If you're questioning purchasing this movie, don't even hesitate because I would gladly trade in my entire DVD collection if it meant having this one.
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'ADAM' is a man, not a disease
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| Review Date: February 1, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Grady Harp, Los Angeles, CA United States |
ADAM is one of those movies you hope that the filmmaking industry will continue to make - films that are not reliant on big budget and special effects to succeed, but instead films with stories that are meaningful and enrich the lives of the viewers, Max Mayer wrote and directed this very fine film that deals with an extraordinary 29 year gifted man who happens to also have Asperger's Syndrome - a form of autism that the straightforward dialogue of the script defines beautifully without depending on a voice over explanation.
Adam Raki (a brilliant performance by Hugh Dancy) has been living an ordered life with his father: as the film opens Adam is at his father's graveside following his funeral. Adam is a genius completely consumed with knowledge of outer space and space technology. He works for a toy factory designing chips to animate toys. His best friend is Harlan (Frankie Faison), an old war buddy of his deceased father, who understands Adam's mental dilemma and is ever present to help him adjust and feel 'normal'. Adam lives in the apartment/condo in New York that he had shared with his father. A new tenant moves in above Adam, one Beth Buchwald (Rose Byrne) who teaches school and is recovering from a broken relationship. Very gradually Adam and Rose connect (the development of this love relationship is one of the most sensitive and uniquely satisfying on film) and Rose learns to appreciate Adam's worth and begins to see a relationship developing despite the warnings of her parents (Peter Gallagher and Amy Irving). But when Rose's father is exposed in a scandal and must face prison, Rose's need for stability and for caring for her mother supersedes her need for Adam. Adam loses his job and is offered work in California, work that directly involves space exploration topics! These changes in the focus of life alter the flow of the love relationship between Adam and Beth and they make their choices. Both Adam and Beth learn to view the world differently than before they met and that is enough.
Hugh Dancy has obviously studied people with Asperger's Syndrome, but the manner in which he convincingly plays this role is not one of mimicking or parody: Adam is a thoroughly realized, complex, enormously gentle, lovable being. This is a performance so rich in subtleties that it begs for recognition as an Oscar contender. The entire cast is excellent, no doubt in large part due to the sensitive direction by Max Mayer. The cinematography and the music score are standouts, helping to make this one of the truly fine films of the past year. Grady Harp, February 10 |
A new contemporary perception of autism.
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| Review Date: January 8, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Alex C. Cullison, Fairfax, VA USA |
This is a very good movie and it takes the next step from the "Rain Man" autism stereotype to a more contemporary perspective of the high functioning atypical autistic person.
In the movie, Adam is portrayed as having Aspergers Syndrome. He is college educated and is self aware of his challenges. Many people associate autism with savant gifts, such as counting cards (as in Rain Man). This is more atypical than most people know, but in the movie Adam's gift is that of astronomy.
My personal opinion about the accuracy of the film has to do with the diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome as related to other levels and spectrums of the autism scale. Adam slaps himself in the face, has anxiety attacks, demonstrated destructive tendencies, and even hit his head in a mirror. I would suggest that these behaviors are slightly downscale from a conventional Aspergers Syndrome diagnosis.
Now, in all fairness, the discussion and parameters associated with different levels of autism are still vague and ambiguous. Also, in all fairness to the movie itself, Adam had recently lost his father resulting in him being left alone, fired from his job, had a fight with his girl, man-handled by the police, and was overall extremely stressed from situations that infrequently occur; especially all at once. Most autistic people have developed complex coping mechanisms. Stress can shed those coping layers back to reveal a less capable and more vulnerable autistic person.
I am grateful that the movie sheds more light on the world of the autism. The years between the institutionalized Rain Man and this independent living Adam have hopefully removed and/or at least changed the perception/stereotype of the high functioning atypical autistic person.
[...]
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Incredible look into the life and struggles of Asperger's
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| Review Date: November 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: A. Mitchell, Alaska, USA |
I recently saw this on a plane flight and immediately wanted to go out and buy it. This was very truthfully detailed in showing the daily life accomplishments and struggles of someone with Asperger's. From the people who don't (and/or don't want to) understand Adam [Hugh Darcy] to others like his friend Harlan [Frankie Faison](Down to Earth, In Good Company) who explains some of life's simple situations to Adam one day then helps Adam keep self-control in an excited, emotional situation.
A very good movie and one to show others who may not normally be open to seminars/training about such conditions but could easily enjoy and understand this production. Two thumbs up and 5 stars!!!! |
A SWEET FILM ABOUT A GENIUS WITH ASPERGER'S SYNDROME
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| Review Date: January 8, 2010 |
| Reviewer: David R. Eastwood, Long Island, NY |
ADAM has a nice low-keyed story to tell and does so in a touching and respectful way. Best of all, the people making it did not give it a phony pasted-on "happily ever after" ending.
We get to see Adam (Hugh Dancy) and Beth (Rose Bryne) getting to know and care about each other--and even briefly becoming lovers and potential spouses.
Part of the film is devoted to educating viewers about Asperger's Syndrome, which is what Adam suffers from: among other things, he takes literally whatever others say and is usually unable to imagine correctly what emotions others are having, despite cues from their facial expressions and even their words.
Adam's genius abilities in astronomy and engineering are brought out well, and Adam will probably remind many viewers of the forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Emily Deschanel), another genius with Asperger's, who is the central character in the acclaimed TV series BONES.
Part of the back-story involves Beth herself getting a reality check about her own father, which appropriately reminds us that even "normal" people frequently misinterpret or misjudge what is going on, even with their own family members. |
"Adam".........Awaiting the DVD Release is Agonizing
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| Review Date: November 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: L. Boki, San Francisco, CA |
Unfortunately, this nice little movie came and went in a heartbeat. It opened at the Sundance Cinemas in San Francisco, and was gone within 2 weeks. I really enjoyed it and have been anticipating the announcement of the DVD release date. I somehow thought its theatrical run was a lot longer time ago, when it has only been 4 months. Still, considering how poorly it performed at the box office, I would have hoped that the DVD would be released before the holiday season. Will it?
Update: I have pre-ordered for its"hard to find" scheduled release date of 2 Feb 2010.
I knew nothing of this ailment at first until I saw the trailer. Hugh Dancy gives a warm, sensitive performance that resonated with me long after the movie was over. It makes you stop and think sometimes that we are too quick to judge others behavior, especially when there may be good enough reason like Asperger's. The movie does not fall prey to some neat little cleaned up ending. It demonstrates the difficulty Adam had in dealing with everyday emotions and feelings.
If you want to be entertained while being enlightened, this movie does not disappoint.
What is disappointing, the movie studio has failed to announce a release for a Blu-Ray version. |
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