- Film Review
- Reviewed By John Ferguson
-
4 out of 5
The first full-length animated feature from Australian Adam Elliot (an Oscar winner for his short Harvie Krumpet) is a whimsically dark yet poignant account of the unlikely, long-term pen-pal friendship that develops between shy Melbourne girl Mary and grumpy middle-aged Max, who resides in New York. This tale of two outsiders is lovingly rendered in traditional claymation and Elliot's expressive creations are wonderfully brought to life by the talented voice cast, which is led by Toni Collette as the grown-up Mary and Philip Seymour Hoffman as her Asperger's-suffering correspondent. Listen out, too, for the distinctive tones of Eric Bana and Barry Humphries, who narrates. Note, however, that the melancholy story isn't really suitable for children.
Plot Summary
An eight-year-old Australian girl decides to write to someone in New York, and picks a name at random. Her letter reaches an overweight loner plagued by anxiety, and over the next 20 years, they continue to correspond, forming a close friendship without ever meeting. Stop motion animated comedy, with the voices of Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Eric Bana.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Mary Daisy Dinkle
- Toni Collette
- Max Jerry Horowitz
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Damian Cyril Popodopolous
- Eric Bana
- Narrator
- Barry Humphries
- Young Mary
- Bethany Whitmore
- Vera Lorraine Dinkle
- Renée Geyer
- Homeless man
- Ian "Molly" Meldrum
- Harvie Krumpet / Len Hislop / Ken Hislop
- John Flaus
- Bus stop mother / kissing woman
- Julie Forsyth
- 911 operator / ambulance voice / derisive observer
- Chris Massey
- Katherine Ramsay / alleyway bully / bird injury girl / bus-stop girl
- Daisy Kocher
- BMX bandit
- Dan Doherty
- Doctor Bernard Hector Hazelhoff / Ralph Keith Dinkle, Grandpoppy Ralph / Mr Alfonso Ravioli / Ivy Ruby Bevan / postmaster / run-over kitten / worm
- Adam Elliot
- Hal the cat
- Milly
- Mary's baby
- Marlee Bevan
- Mister Biscuit
- Indy
- Mrs Pendergast
- Melanie Coombs
- Overeaters anonymous tutor / Post Office customer / Zelda Glutnik
- Leanne Smith
Crew
- Director
- Adam Elliot
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