“Adam’s Syndrome”

November 5, 2009

Lisa Kaminsky

Sponsor and loyal attendee of the Savannah Film Festival

When I picked up a quick synopsis about the movie Adam, I quickly retrieved my computer and googled “Asperger’s Syndrome,” which is exactly what Hugh Dancy said he did when he was first offered the role of Adam by the Director and Screenwriter, Max Mayer. In yesterday’s Question and Answer session, after the screening of Adam, Hugh Dancy explained that he prepared for this role mainly by researching and learning about Asperger’s Syndrome. He had never even heard of this disorder before he was offered the part. Dancy said he tried to focus on the characteristics of the syndrome: severe trouble with social situations and not being able to pick up on social cues, avoiding eye contact, and talking a lot about a favorite subject incessantly.

This film is a heart-warming story about two young adults who love each other, yet the character Adam has Asperger’s Syndrome, which ultimately causes Beth to never feel truly loved by her partner. Adam does not know how to look her in the eyes and say, “I love you,” and is incapable of recognizing raw emotions. Beth struggles with loving this kind, gentle, honest soul, but questions if he can make her truly happy. Who makes a perfect mate? Is it someone like Beth’s father, played by Peter Gallagher, who cheats on his wife and launders money, or a man who is pure and honest, but may be embarrassing and child-like because he does not follow the correct social graces?

The most charming scene in the whole film takes place in Central Park where Adam and Beth are watching two raccoons come out from hiding in the middle of the night. Adam has been watching this pair for years. Adam is mesmerized by these raccoons and says, “They don’t belong here.” These raccoons are completely out of place, yet somehow continue to survive in Central Park for years. The bond or love between these two raccoons is such a great comparison to Adam, now with Beth, in his lonely habitat.

This movie gives great awareness to Asperger’s Syndrome, and I am hopeful it will allow people to be more tolerant of others who may not act “normal” or “socially acceptable.” At the end of the Question and Answer session, a woman in the audience, Pepi Streiff, stood up and told Hugh Dancy that she is the mother of a thirty-seven-year-old “child” who has autism. She complimented Hugh Dancy in his perfect portrayal of a young man with Asperger’s and thanked him for handling his role with such grace.