3.17.2011

love yourself first

i just finished watching the animated film mary and max...




this movie has been in my netflix instant watch queue for many moons.  when rachele of the nearsighted owl wrote a post about it several days ago, i knew it was the right time for me to watch it...


there are so many things i love about this film...

claymation + art direction: my breath was taken away from the opening scene + never returned. exquisitely animated. the tiny details are absolutely incredible.

the voices of max + mary: philip seymour hoffman (one of my favorite actors who i was lucky enough to meet) + toni collette (another brilliant thespian).

asperger's syndrome: i have at least one student each year who is dealing with life through the lens of asperger's + i was deeply touched to see this experience explored through the character of max.

handwriting: there is fantastic handwritten text in the film that made me feel faint with font happiness.

dark twisty humor + bittersweet truthful emotion: i laughed + cried throughout the entire movie.

typewriters + penpals: two of my lifelong joys.

chocolate: a theme in the film + one of my favorite small pleasures.

love yourself first: yes. yes. yes.

15 comments:

a blog about the little things said...

I have as of yet seen this amazing movie, but it is so awesome to see these reviews by you & Rachele! I hope I can find it at a local video rental place (yes, I am that old school).
There is very little that is as important as the sentiment 'love yourself first'.

Heidi pumpkin pie said...

i Love this movie! It made me cry and laugh; I added it to my favorite dvd collection

Kagan said...

Until your post I hadn't even heard of this movie and now I can't wait to see it. You have my hopes up! xO

Maria said...

I only saw that film a few weeks ago - so poignant! I'll try not to write more about the movie or else I'll give some spoilers away.

I like the cute idea of just picking a stranger int he phone book and connecting with them. Like the idea of messages in bottles or helium balloons that contain notes.

Mary said...

My partner and I randomly came across this movie last year during our travels. We watched it, not having heard anything about it, and thought it was really remarkable.

It was dark, funny, strange, and sad all at the same time. At times, I had to keep reminding myself that this was based on a true story.

I think I'll re-watch it this weekend. Refresh my memory.

A. said...

OMG I completely forgot about it. It's AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!1 It's dark, smart, funny and sooo sad at the same time. I cried so much at the end:(((

Anonymous said...

I'm attracted with the title, if it is in Netflix, I SHOULD have to see that :) will go browse the list now :)

Sarah said...

That movie looks so adorable! I must watch it immediately. ♥

(This is the best part about blogs, you find wonderful things you might have never heard about otherwise! Just saying, hehe.)

Rachele said...

You have reminded me even more what is amazing about Mary and Max!

<3 nearsightedowl.com

Anonymous said...

I will have to watch this! It looks great.

Unknown said...

oooh...adding to my list. it looks and sounds amazing!

diane said...

wow!

i am touched by all of your love + interest in this beautiful film.

upon reflection, it is going into my list of favorites + i will definitely watch it again soon.

xoxo

robayre said...

never heard of this before, and immediately after leaving this comment I will be adding it to my queue. Thanks for the heads up. Looks like something right up my alley.

Some Korean Website Highjacker said...

i haven't even heard of this before! you are awesome for posting, it sounds so great. i am especially keen after reading who's doing the voices, i adore both those actors. ♥

diane said...

robyn + lynn...i'm excited that you want to check it out! i think you will love it.