Adam

Adam and Beth from the film Adam. Photo / Supplied

Herald rating:

* * *

Verdict:

Sincere, if slightly bland.

Films about characters with psychological disorders are major Oscar bait (

Rain Man, Forrest Gump, Shine

) but they risk being either mawkish or condescending. This film, about a young man with Asperger Syndrome, is neither.

Young English actor Dancy nails the crippling disability of the main character, overstating nothing and entirely avoiding cuteness. Yet the film as a whole is slightly bland: it's sincere without being earnest, yet too often the script feels laboured and deliberate. It has moments of magic in it, but there's too much clunky expository dialogue and a clumsy, jarring subplot that outstays its welcome.

Adam Raki (Dancy) suffers from the syndrome otherwise known as high-functioning autism. In a smart, economical opening five minutes the movie does a good job of introducing us to his state of mind: packets of breakfast cereal and ready-to-eat macaroni cheese dinners form neat rows in his kitchen and beige clothing is meticulously organised in his closet.

The imposed order has just been disrupted by two significant events when he meets Beth Buchwald (Byrne), a primary school teacher who moves into his building.

In the relationship that blooms between them resides the film's substantial charm: she has to learn to understand his condition while he has to get to know what life looks like to an NT - neurotypical - which is what Asperger's folk call everyone else. This leads to some lovely, glancingly observed exchanges (Beth: I'm sure it will work out. Adam: How can you know that? Beth: I mean I hope it works out.)

In the end, it's Dancy's film and he gets Adam just right. To illuminate the inner life of a man whose communication is so compromised is some achievement. The film's ending is dramatically unsatisfying, though it probably reflects clinical best practice - but the journey is more than worth it.

Peter Calder

Cast:

Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Frankie Faison, Amy Irving, Peter Gallagher

Director:

Max Mayer

Running time:

99 mins

Rating:

M (offensive language)