Adam - Movie Review

Adam (PG-13) 99 minutes D
A love story without the love

Starring Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, Amy Irving, and Frankie Faison

When I first saw the trailer for this film the main character, Adam (Hugh Dancy), tells his very attractive neighbor, Beth (Rose Byrne), that he has Aspergers. Initially I thought he said "Assburgers" and that was suppose to be some sort of joke. But Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is not a joke, it's a neurobiological disorder that's closely related to autism (or at least that's what I gathered from watching the film).

The film raises awareness of AS and sheds a bittersweet light on the disorder. A noble gesture that unfortunately results into a dull film. Frankly, I thought that the relationship between Adam and Beth was completely unrealistic, Beth's daddy complex was totally contrived and stupid, and Hugh Dancy (who I loved in the 2007 film, Jane Austen Book Club) seemed to be overacting the part.

Many people at the advanced screening last week and at Sundance last January loved this film. I on the other hand am surprised that so many people liked it. Perhaps you should see it for yourself and report back, I'd be curious to know what you think. The film opened in limited release on 7/29, and opens nation-wide in a few weeks.
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Bonus DVD Review
Stardust Memories (PG) 88 minutes C+
The reluctant celebrity

DVD Release Date: July 5, 2000
Starring Woody Allen, Charlotte Rampling, Jessica Harper and Tony Roberts

This was one of the few Woody Allen films I hadn't seen and reportedly one of Woody's personal favorites within his catalog of work. The film didn't quite live up to my (very high) expectations, but if nothing else Stardust Memories is worth seeing for one scene near the end of the film (called A Profound Moment on the DVD's scenes menu) in which a young Charlotte Rampling lies on the floor, flipping through pages of a magazine and gazes into the camera with a look that could bring a man to his knees- hypnotizing and alluring it's a classic cinematic moment.