Adam, the indescribably wonderful-yet-uncon-
ventional romantic hit of this season, explores the
barefaced world of asperger Syndrome (aS) and
the brilliant way it can show us “neurotypicals” (or
nts) some valuable new personal truths. writer/
director Max Mayer’s beautifully sensitive but clever
writing style has combined with actor Hugh dancy’s
Rose Byrne (left) and Hugh Dancy (right) star as neighbors Beth and Adam.
uncanny transformation talents—and arresting
good looks—to create one of the most endearing
characters on film.
adam raki (dancy), a meticulous electrical
engineer living with aS has just lost his only surviv-
ing guardian, leaving him to continue his rigidly
routine—but socially isolated and safely sheltered—
days alone, if not for the sole company of his only
friend, Harlan. However, with the recent arrival of a
beautiful and unexpectedly quirky new neighbor,
Beth (rose Byrne), adam’s social circle seems to
have been forced open with the undeniable tension
that sparks between the two young tenants. at first
unaware of adam’s social variance, Beth mistakes his
condition with rudeness but quickly understands
when adam explains the nature of aS to be a dif-
ficulty in grasping non-verbal social implications. in
his inherent nature to take everything literally, adam
must learn to see past words and Beth must learn
to use them more genuinely—especially when an
innocent romance between them begins to show
signs of growing.
to comprehend some of the magical talent that the
actors in this film weave, one need only realize that
the two young new yorkers in the plot were played
by a strikingly handsome Brit and a lovely aussie.
watching the film, you’d never know that neither one
Beth awaits an explanation when Adam takes her to Central Park for a surprise.
was american.
“and i’m really russian!” joked Max, attempting charming face to attribute the proper characteristics. “it’s not a genre film…at least not to me,” clarified
to break the tension as i trembled under Hugh’s it was then decided that Hugh dancy would embody Hugh. “feedback has been uniquely positive. the
deep but placid stare. My focus shifting from his the princely but innately childlike protagonist. thing about people with aS is that they will not filter
model-esque features and fixed eye lock, i inquired Hugh, in his great dedication and preparedness, their comments to avoid hurting our feelings. one
as to how the non-confrontational title character didn’t base his performance on anyone’s take of any- lady from, i think it was Boston, said, ‘i liked the shot
came to be. was adam an amalgam of individuals in thing, nor did he compare what he would do differ- with the leaf and the van in the beginning…’ She
Max’s life? was he an imagined impression waiting ently from other actors. “i did do that for Confessions started listing several different things she liked and
in Max’s imagination waiting to be expressed on of a Shopaholic because that one was fun. i watched she didn’t mention anything she didn’t like…so she
paper? certainly, Hugh’s distinguished physical every romantic movie i could get my hands on. But must have liked the movie!”
appearance contributed much to adam’s allure, but becoming adam was a very personal experience.” Max added, “the only negative comment i’ve
it was the mind behind the pleasant countenance Hugh spoke with various members of a support heard came from a writer who said, ‘it wouldn’t take
that propelled the character to fascinate audiences group in new york called adaptations and interacted one year to write a children’s book!’ (laughter)”
everywhere. in fact, Max originally became inspired first-hand with members of this community. in stud- Max’s writing inspirations have presented them-
for this project when he was listening to radio show ies of individuals with aS, intense focus on narrowly selves in works by woody allen, Mike Leigh and Hal
segment where a man was chronicling his life with specific interests or topics are frequent characteris- ashby’s Being There.
aS. “this man was describing life as if everyone was in tics. in Adam, this high-end intelligence manifested if there’s a fastidious formula that must be main-
on the joke but him.” itself in a profound love for astronomy—a love he felt tained when writing a screenplay of this type, then
this inspiration eventually led Max to write a safe enough to share with Beth. despite a highlight- Max has hit it on the nose—not too clinical but not
monologue as a character conceptual named “adam.” ing romance, this film is much more than simply a overly comical at adam’s expense. “that’s the bal-
after developing a “voice,” Max would soon need a love story. ance you want.”
september 2009 | RAGE monthly 15
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