We’ve all been in relationships where the other person seemed utterly unreachable, almost as if they were in a whole different world and had no idea what we were feeling and thinking.  Most of  the time, we can write those moments off as men being idiots, but in the new film Adam,  Hugh Dancy’s title character has a legit excuse for occasionally acting like a clueless ass.  

Adam has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism that makes it extremely difficult for a person to interact socially or read another person’s feelings and non verbal cues.  He’s awkward. 

 

When he meets Beth, (Rose Byrne – looking adorable as usual) his awkwardness is at first mistaken for the usual “ohmygodshe’ssoprettyi’mgonnapeemypants” nervousness that most men experience when they meet a G&G Girl.  It soon becomes clear however, that Adam is a little odder than most.  Like, for example, when Beth confides in him that her last boyfriend “used to sleep with other girls while we were together,” he is confused until she explains.  ”Not while we were together Adam, when we were in a relationship.”  Adam explains Asperger’s to her, she accepts and embraces it, and they live happily ever after.

For awhile anyway.

Can Adam and Beth and Asperger’s withstand all the stress of being in a relationship?  Will her parents like him? Will he get along with her friends? Will he ever eat anything besides mac and cheese for dinner? So many things to ponder!!!

In the film’s last few minutes, we can see that Adam has made amazing progress in the whole “interacting with people” department, but we are not sure what that means for Beth.  Her kindness and patience is astounding throughout the movie and the choice she makes at the end will leave you and your friends asking each other, “Would you have…?”

Adam opens in Philly tomorrow, August 7th, and in other cities August 14th, 21st and 28th.