Mary and Max

Although this Aussie claymation production is marketed as “hilarious and moving,” it's no Wallace and Gromit–style romp. Instead, think Todd Solondz's Happiness meets Charles Schulz's Peanuts. Philip Seymour Hoffman lends his usual exasperated sad-sack vocal qualities to the character of Max Jerry Horovitz, a seriously obese 44-year-old with Asperger's syndrome who lives in Manhattan and is addicted to eating chocolate hot dogs, catching flies, and collecting cigarette butts. Max is a tragicomically warped victim of modern urban society who has spent time in mental institutions, is prone to anxiety attacks, and can't hold a job or connect with other human beings. Eight-year-old Australian Mary Daisy Dinkle (voiced by Bethany Whitmore), seemingly doomed to a similar life of dysfunction and loserdom, chooses Max's name randomly from a phone book in search of a pen pal. Her initial letter sets off a 20-year correspondence between these two equally damaged souls, and we learn the full story of their comically pathetic lives through their offbeat missives to one another—up until the fateful day when grown-up Mary (Toni Collette) decides to visit old-man Max in New York. Although it's not always easy to watch—with its frequent references to feces, farts, and other bodily functions—writer-director Adam Elliot's jaundiced humor and creatively grotesque visuals make Mary and Max a must-see for more adventurous audiences. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a director's audio commentary, Elliot's Oscar-winning short Harvie Krumpet, an oddball “making-of” featurette, a behind-the-scenes featurette, alternate scenes, and Whitmore's audition tape. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an excellent film.] (M. Sandlin)