Adam: Differences in TransAtlantic Reactions

The movie Adam has recently hit theaters. Though I haven't seen it (and really don't plan to), this movie appears to be a standard rom-com only the male lead has Aspergers. This has, of course, led to some debate as to whether this sort of media exposure is a good thing for people with Asbergers.

For exhibit A, I present the New York Times article from August 3rd: Asperger’s Syndrome, on Screen and in Life. The overall gist of the article is that this movie raises awareness about Aspergers and is thus a good thing.

But all three revolve around Asperger’s syndrome, the complex and mysterious neurological disorder linked to autism. Their nearly simultaneous appearance — two open this summer, and the third is planned for next year — underscores how much Asperger’s and high-functioning autism have expanded in the public consciousness since Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal of an autistic savant in “Rain Man” 21 years ago.

For exhibit B, I present the BBC's article from 10th August: Autistic Impressions. The overall gist of this article is that Hollywood should stop thinking autistic people are different/overly intelligent/savants, and this sort of movie is a bad thing.

Hollywood movies rarely deal with disability - except for autism, when characters are typically shown as having special intelligence. Why do we like to think everyone with autism is especially gifted?

So is it true that Americans are more likely to say "Adam" has noble intentions and is thus good while Britons are more likely to say "Adam" is patronising and gives false info? Let's find out.

US articles:
NPR - Director Max Mayer on 'Adam' and Aspergers (Aug 10)
Chicago Sun Times - Unusual diagnosis for a new movie romance (Aug 9)
Philadelphia Inquirer - The wong guy for 'Adam' was right, after all (Aug 9)

Apart from his college stint in Philly, Mayer has been a lifelong New Yorker, and Adam is the kind of New York movie that feels authentic, right down to the accents.

Which is an accomplishment, given that Dancy hails from the United Kingdom, and Byrne from Australia.

"That's the most popular comment at the Q & As, after the screenings," says Byrne. " 'Oh my god I can't believe it! How do you do it?' Which is understandable.

The Boston Globe - Asperger's community takes 'Adam' to heart (Aug 8)

“Awareness is one of our missions and there’s nothing like a movie that does well for awareness,’’ said Dania Jekel, Asperger’s Association of New England’s executive director.

Washington Times - Asperger's syndrome takes spotlight (Aug 7)
Movies and television have done little to illuminate these disorders for the public.

With the exception of Dustin Hoffman's Oscar-winning turn in "Rain Man," exposure to autism and its related disorders has been limited to smaller parts, such as the seldom-seen autistic offspring of corrupt policeman Vic Mackey in the FX cop drama "The Shield."

Max Mayer's new movie, "Adam," might help change that.

Summary: Most reviews very positive, praising the accuracy of the portrayal of Aspergers, and the sensitivity of the director not to make it the butt of all jokes.

UK articles:
BBC News (review by Asperger's councillor) - Asperger's on the big screen (10 Aug)

Portrayals of people with autism are always difficult because everyone is different but I thought Hugh Dancy, who plays Adam, did a great job.

Most of all he was human and showed a spectrum of emotions, that many people stereotypically assume people with autism don't have.

To me it felt three dimensional: it was sweet…but not too much!

The Chester Chronicle - Interview with Adam star Hugh Dancy (Aug 10)

"I just really like to take roles that scare me and this scared the pants off of me."

Telegraph - Adam, review (7 Aug)

There’s something fatally glossy about this well-meant Asperger’s romance... The film has pretty snowfall and a de rigueur plinky xylophone score, but it’s not really on our planet.

The Sun - Sneak reveals truth about love story Adam (7 Aug)
Daily Mail (Online) - Adam: Good intentions, but a weak narrative (6 Aug)

Only when Peter Gallagher comes on screen as the heroine's flamboyantly feckless father does the movie spark into life, with an edge that goes some way, but not far enough, to balancing the overall impression of cutesiness.

Scotsman - Film review: Adam (7 Aug)

The problem is that given the amount of idiot's guide information worked into the script, writer-director Max Meyer clearly believes he's stumbled upon a unique topic for a film

Summary: Little praise for having recognisable high aspirations/good intentions, except, of course, for the woman who had Aspergers and the paper that interviewed the actor.

My theories:

1) The British don't like people telling them what to care about (Aspergers! It's hard!).
2) The British saw through good intentions and saw a mediocre rom-com.
3) The British look down on both "idiots guide" education and more implicit education as both are patronising and/or condescending.
4) Americans have been subjected to so much stereotyped and bad media that they think Rainman was a good portrayal of austism, and welcome ANYTHING that isn't crass.
5) Americans are more optimistic and respect intentions in and of themselves.
6) Americans have low expectations for what releasing a movie about a topic will bring.

Take your pick.