10 Oct 2009, 3:24 pm
10 Oct 2009, 4:14 pm
Fogman
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Location: Frå Nord Dakota til Vermont
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22 Oct 2009, 1:48 am
Hi guys,
I have just watched the movie "Mary and Max" and I can't state this strongly enough: This is NOT for children or pre-teens!
This is a very dark, very adult claymation story. The funny points and portrayal of Asperger's do not justify taking anyone young to see this movie. If you feel that you would like to share with your pre-teen, please preview the movie yourself; don't take my word for it, but please don't take kids at first.
SPOILER ALERT -- BELOW ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS YOU WILL FIND IN THE MOVIE
Subjects heavily explored in this movie involve alcoholism; child neglect; stealing as a hobby; chain-smoking; drug dependency; attempted suicide; homosexuality; divorce; single motherhood; sex and where babies come from; antisemitism; bullying; making friends with adult strangers; deep depression; poverty; manslaughter; death; animal cruelty (fish in a blender, anyone?); unhappiness with one's self image (which never gets solved); dysfunctional relationships; crushed dreams; and on and on. It's impressive how they cover everything in such a short time 
That being said, the movie was very well done, and I am sure some adults will like it. I thought it was a bit too depressing for my taste. I like some things to go right in movies -- a little like real life; some good, some bad. All bad is too difficult to watch.
Also, Max's Asperger's seemed to be quite debilitating, which while I know it is true to many of us, it is not true for all. Although Max does not want to be cured of it, that does not mean that the whole world around him - including his best friend - doesn't think he is disabled and crazy (they even go so far as calling him "ret*d").
But that is just my perspective.
Fogman
Veteran
Joined: 19 Jun 2005
Age: 59
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,986
Location: Frå Nord Dakota til Vermont
23 Oct 2009, 2:34 pm
I have just watched the movie "Mary and Max" and I can't state this strongly enough: This is NOT for children or pre-teens!
This is a very dark, very adult claymation story. The funny points and portrayal of Asperger's do not justify taking anyone young to see this movie. If you feel that you would like to share with your pre-teen, please preview the movie yourself; don't take my word for it, but please don't take kids at first.
SPOILER ALERT -- BELOW ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS YOU WILL FIND IN THE MOVIE
Subjects heavily explored in this movie involve alcoholism; child neglect; stealing as a hobby; chain-smoking; drug dependency; attempted suicide; homosexuality; divorce; single motherhood; sex and where babies come from; antisemitism; bullying; making friends with adult strangers; deep depression; poverty; manslaughter; death; animal cruelty (fish in a blender, anyone?); unhappiness with one's self image (which never gets solved); dysfunctional relationships; crushed dreams; and on and on. It's impressive how they cover everything in such a short time
If I had children, I would want them to see this, because of the fact that it would prepare them for the real world. --Life is full of what is mentioned above.
24 Oct 2009, 2:54 am
Fogman wrote : <<<<If I had children, I would want them to see this, because of the fact that it would prepare them for the real world. --Life is full of what is mentioned above. >>>>
Then, as a parent (times 4) , I am glad you don't.
First, I don't think you saw the movie. So, you can't comment on its appropriateness for kids.
Second, I know that there are hard, difficult, even unhappy topics in the world; and I can understand people saying the movie is great. I am not denying it, I am just saying it is not for children.
Third, children are not emotionally equipped to deal with such a barrage of hard topics all at once. I must confess it was difficult even for me, and I felt very depressed in the end of the movie.
(And yes, first, second and third are a bit repetitive, thank you for noticing)
I guess my "real world" is better than yours. Despite everything that has happened to me (and a lot, a lot, a lot has), I choose to look at the beauty in the world, and try to spread that around. I am glad I raised my kids this way instead of force-feeding them the hardship, the difficulties and the scum of society every morning with their Cheerios from a young tender age.
There is plenty of time for them to get exposed to that once they grow up.
Sorry. The mother in me came out. Time to chain her back to the tree -- down, girl, down.
24 Oct 2009, 2:14 pm
Then, as a parent (times 4) , I am glad you don't.
First, I don't think you saw the movie. So, you can't comment on its appropriateness for kids.
Second, I know that there are hard, difficult, even unhappy topics in the world; and I can understand people saying the movie is great. I am not denying it, I am just saying it is not for children.
Third, children are not emotionally equipped to deal with such a barrage of hard topics all at once. I must confess it was difficult even for me, and I felt very depressed in the end of the movie.
(And yes, first, second and third are a bit repetitive, thank you for noticing)
I guess my "real world" is better than yours. Despite everything that has happened to me (and a lot, a lot, a lot has), I choose to look at the beauty in the world, and try to spread that around. I am glad I raised my kids this way instead of force-feeding them the hardship, the difficulties and the scum of society every morning with their Cheerios from a young tender age.
There is plenty of time for them to get exposed to that once they grow up.
Sorry. The mother in me came out. Time to chain her back to the tree -- down, girl, down.
Don't feel bad I was thinking he samething. Our kids see that the worlds not fair every day this isn't something that needs to be taught in most cases and a depressing movies isn't the proper way to do this if it is needed. To remind my childern that we are lucky we do the angle tree every year and do volunteer work.
