Humbly brilliant, with a sense of humor not all people would get.

Rating: Null/10 (10 September 2011)

Mary and Max is a surprisingly funny movie, though I would understand that some people might find its straightforward humor offensive. There may be references to "poo" and some dark scenes of a slightly gruesome nature, but they are merely symbols of the honesty and transparency of the natures of the main characters. The people who are offended by the movie's humor are most likely also the very "normal" characters who reject the strange natures of Max and Mary in the movie.
It is a simple, touching story between the unusual friendship of young Mary and middle-aged Max, who in their confusion of the social taboos that bewilder them in their everyday lives, find a common solace in each others' letters. The film does not aspire to be grandiose any more than it should, which some people have mentioned they found boring. But the mood is only fitting for the message it wants to convey. Max and Mary, after all, are not the stereotypically "exciting" characters one would normally encounter. They are actually quite boring in the real-life standards the usual person would have. But the emphasis of the movie is how these two average, "boring" people could share something so special and personal that not even many "exciting" people experience.
Overall, it is an emotionally refreshing movie, with animations that are well-done and music that is very sweet. It is not something that many people would understand because it takes a deal of empathy in understanding an introverted shy child and a lonely man with Asperger's, but those who live up to the challenge will find a rare, maybe even tearful, treat.