Adam
Directed by Max Mayer
Fox Searchlight, 2009
By Sean Kelly
A few weeks ago, Maclean’s ran an article about Asperger’s Syndrome as the new “it” disorder on screen and in fiction — citing numerous examples from current, terrible popular entertainment. For those who don’t know, Asperger’s is an Autism Spectrum Disorder. While exact symptoms vary, it’s typified by a person of normal intelligence who has great difficulty with social interactions. Asperger’s is also a personal subject for me, since I was diagnosed with it last year.
If you do a search, you will find both confirmed and speculative reports of famous people who have or may have the disorder. Some of the most popular speculations say that people like Einstein or Mozart may have been diagnosed if the disorder was identified during their time (a speculation that is even referenced in this film).
Adam is the second film that I can recall that deals specifically with Asperger’s. The first was 2005’s Mozart and the Whale, which stared Josh Hartnett and Radha Mitchell as two individuals with the disorder, who face challenges with their budding relationship. Similar to that film, Adam is also a romance.
The film deals with a man with Asperger’s named Adam (played by Hugh Dancy), who is living on his own for the first time after his father’s death. He meets a woman named Beth (played by Rose Byrne) who has just moved into his building and they begin a friendship that soon leads to a romantic relationship.
I found the film was gentle in its treatment of the Asperger’s subject. Mozart and the Whale put the disorder front and centre from the start — in Adam nearly an hour passes before Asperger’s is mentioned by name.
The core of the film’s story is the relationship between Adam and Beth and the challenges that come with it; for example, Adam begins to rely on Beth as his caregiver, in addition to his girlfriend.
I couldn’t help but compare the on-screen portrayal to my own experiences. Even though Adam seemed to be on the less-high-functioning portion of the spectrum than I am, there were some behaviours — such as standing awkwardly in crowded places and ranting non-stop about a favourite subject — that really hit home with me. As a result, I can say that the film had a pretty accurate and not too stereotypical portrayal of Asperger’s.
This was a personal review for me to write. Being able to relate with Adam’s condition really made me feel for the guy. Seeing Adam learning to cope with his condition and make it on his own provided a source of inspiration. Whether you look at the film as a study of Asperger’s or just sweet romance, I am sure that you will end up being touched by the film.
I have a feeling Napoleon Dynamite is more of an accurate portrayal of people with Aspergers than this romanticized vision.
In the movie does Adam say he’s a big fan of Rush?
Sorry, but I have to take offense at that comment. I have been diagnosed with Asperger’s for over a year and I have met other people with the disorder, I think I should know if Adam was an accurate portrayal or not.
In my opinion Napoleon Dynamite was more anti-social than anything and that has nothing to do with Asperger’s (people with asperger’s WANT to be social — they just have a hard time with it).
Think before you type next time.
Hmmmm….I just Googled “napoleon dynamite aspergers” and found that you’re not the only one that thinks that.
Still think Adam is an accurate portrayal though.
I disagree, guys with Aspergers don’t get hot chicks. If she were played by a chunky girl who’d be willing to overlook the Aspergers for some thin guy schwance THEN it’d be an accurate portrayal.
That’s very nice Maln, that’s very nice indeed. I make an incredibly personal decision disclose in this review to everyone reading this site that I have asperger’s and you reward this risk by making the discriminatory comment that people with asperger’s are unable to have normal relationships.
I guess I learned my lesson then.
Thank you very much, you jerk.
I never said they can’t have normal relationships, I said they can’t get hot chicks.
Hot chicks want exciting guys and don’t like a whole lot of thinking. Therefore you get an aspie on a roll with talking about their favorite subject (say trains) and you think the hot chick is going to stick around for sloppy seconds? I doubt it.
OK, I get what are saying, but Rose Byrne is no shallow Paris Hilton-type. She is more a normal average female and I completely believe that people with asperger’s would have a chance with someone like her.
It’s Hollywood, they’re all shallow.
Even if that’s true, you judge the way the character on screen is portrayed and Rose Byrne’s character is a normal average female.
Who happens to be hot.