Mary & Max

Mary & Max is one of my favourite animated films, telling the story of young girl named Mary living in Australia who is struggling through her childhood. In an attempt to find a friend & understand things going on around her, she sends a letter to a stranger living in New York. The letter reaches an older man named Max who is overweight & suffering from severe anxiety. The story explores Mary growing up being affected by  bullying & the deaths of those close to her. Max attempts to help her through & give her a view of the world that she doesn't have.

The claymation addresses several difficult subjects, such as mental illness, bullying & religion. I think the use of animation is effective in addressing these subjects as I think it can be seen as less, not serious, but dark due to the incorporation of humour. For example the use of phrases such as 'obese retard man' & using the words 'spasticity', although I think the use of this type of humour & what would typically be
offensive is more accepted due it being used in animation. As the character's both have a childish quality in their views of the world this also adds to the humour & makes exploring these topics easier, for example Max is able to explain & simplify religion in one sentence. The use of a narrator throughout keeps the film slightly more light hearted.

The use of colour in this film is significant in illustrating emotions & feelings of the characters. In Mary's Australian life there is subtle use of colour, not highly saturated but with noticeable tones. The most noticeable detail being the bright red bow in her hair. Max's life in New York is dark & drab, constantly living in a world of black & white. But when Max receives Mary's letters there are sparks of colours, in his the brown paper of the letters - implying Mary bringing a hint of happiness & emotion
into his life. This becomes more obvious when Mary sends him a red pom pom to set upon his cap. Similarly to Mary's bow, the bright red contrasts the dark backgrounds bringing colour into Max's world.

'You are not perfect, you are imperfect. & so are all humans.'