Who would have thought that my junk TV obsession, America’s Next Top Model, would actually be educational viewing?
Thanks to cycle 9 of the series, I know all about Asperger’s Syndrome (or at least how Asperger’s Syndrome and being a model/spokesperson don’t really mix). So I was intrigued about the premise for the film Adam, a rom-com with the tagline ‘ A story about two strangers. One a little stranger than the other.’ My immediate thought was that that phrase wasn’t really great PR for those with autism.
While I love luminous Rose Byrne (Beth) and adored dashing Hugh Dancy in Confessions of a Shopaholic (Adam), this film didn’t really do it for me. I never really bought the romantic chemistry between the two and while there were some sweet moments, it mostly veered towards the wrong side of hokey. Cue completely obvious educational supplement on ‘what is Aspergers?’; long-standing family friend to lonely Adam who gives witty and sage advice; glittery scenes of NYC lights (how you can use a telescope to see stars in the city I’m not sure), cute animals and battling wind and snow to reach the girl in an emotional climax (sort of). Plus a bizarrely irrelevant side story about Beth’s father being jailed for white collar crime.
The best line of the movie: when Adam was given a box of chocolates, he responded ‘I’m not Forrest Gump, you know!’. Which was a bit of a shame, really.
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