April 2, 2014This was by far the most depressing stop motion animation film I've ever seen. It was beautiful, with a well written story, and (for the most part) likable characters. It tells the story of a little girl in Australia, Mary (voiced by Toni Collette), who doesn't have any friends and doesn't have very good parents. One day she finds a phone book with American names and addresses in it and she decides to start up a random correspondence. Her new pen-pal Max (voiced by Philip Seymour Hoffman) has Asperger's Syndrome, and the slightest irregularities can set him off. After gathering the courage to write her back, Max and Mary become unlikely friends and continue writing each other. The film takes a decidedly dark shift when Mary gets older and, crushed by disappointment (I won't give away why) she takes to drinking and taking pills. I will admit being a little overwhelmed by her transformation from a sweet little girl to a troubled young woman, and there is one scene in particular which is beautiful but still very hard to watch (you'll know what I mean). All in all, this is a film I would recommend everyone see, but don't expect a children's movie just because it is animated.
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