Similarly, “Adam” strayed from rom-com clichés to portray the budding romance between a young schoolteacher, Beth (Rose Byrne), and an engineer with Asperger’s Syndrome, Adam (Hugh Dancy). The film shines light on Asperger’s and the hardships a person with the disorder faces on a daily basis while never losing sight of the relationship that lies at the heart of the plot.
For those unfamiliar with the disorder, Asperger’s is described as being on the higher-functioning end of the autism spectrum. Adam lacks the social skills attributed to ordinary people and is unable to process the emotions of others. The condition is made understandable through Adam’s actions.
At his father’s funeral, Adam doesn’t shed a tear. There is nothing in his countenance to suggest that the day holds any significance whatsoever; his expression is vacant at the cemetery, except perhaps for a fleeting look of confusion as to what exactly is taking place around him.
With no one to care for him when he returns to the confines of his apartment, Adam falls into a routine of eating the same brand of cereal every morning, going to work at a company that doesn’t appreciate all that he has to offer and returning home to a dinner of macaroni and cheese. His one enjoyment stems from tracking celestial beings roaming through outer space.
Adam’s monotonous schedule is shaken when he meets his apartment building’s newest tenant, Beth, who is drawn to Adam despite his unfailing candor and his tendency to spew forth a stream of information about telescopes and astronomy at the slightest urging. Beth learns that Adam has Asperger’s, although this doesn’t deter her from cautiously beginning a romance with him.
The improbability of Adam and Beth’s relationship is strangely reminiscent of the classic film “Forrest Gump,” in which the “local idiot,” Forrest, proves his unending devotion to his lifelong friend, Jenny. “I may not be smart, but I do know what love is,” Forrest says when Jenny questions the validity of his love for her.
“Adam” pays homage to its predecessor in a cute scene where Beth presents Adam with a box and chocolates, and he jokingly responds, “I’m not Forrest Gump, you know.” This is an entirely accurate statement (in jest or not) because, unlike Forrest, Adam is undoubtedly bright, though he can’t claim to grasp the meaning of the word “love.”
As unlikely as their romance is, it works, much to the chagrin of Beth’s parents, Marty (Peter Gallagher) and Rebecca (Amy Irving). The two understandably have reservations about their daughter dating a man with Asperger’s and have trouble accepting the unconventional relationship, which presents a new set of problems for the young couple.
As with all romantic comedies, the film depends on the chemistry between its two leads. Dancy and Byrne are perfect together, effortlessly conveying the connection between their characters in spite of the unusual situation. This is Dancy’s best film to date, having previously starred as the heroine’s love interest in a number of sub-par projects. His performance is entirely believable, as is Byrne’s, which gives the characters a genuineness that is essential to the film’s success.
The film flags a bit when the storyline drifts from Adam and Beth’s relationship to follow the latter’s father as he stands trial for fraud. Gallagher’s smarmy persona makes it incredibly difficult to sympathize with his character’s plight. The film could easily have discarded this addition in favor of more scenes delving into the issues Beth’s parents have regarding her relationship with Adam.
Uninspiring subplot aside, “Adam” is a revealing glimpse into the problematic life of a person diagnosed with Asperger’s. There is never any doubt that a person like Adam could exist and experience similar setbacks as a result of such a condition.
Watching Adam confront the challenges he faces, especially those in his relationship with Beth, is what sets this film apart from others in its genre. Convincing performances from the lead actors and a script with a surprising conclusion are just a couple reasons why “Adam” is one of the season’s most engaging films.