Average ‘Adam’

“Adam” is the type of film that you want to love for its unique love story and great performances, but that love is hindered by some  lackluster moments sprinkled throughout, forcing it into the slightly better than mediocre, rather than high echelon of cinema it had a chance of belonging to.

Adam Raki (Hugh Dancy, “Confessions of a Shopaholic”) has managed to learn to live with Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a developmental disorder that makes it hard for individuals to engage in social interaction. This syndrome gives off the appearance that the patient is cold and unable to share their simplest of emotions. However, in spite of this disability, Raki has managed to survive with the help of his loving father, who passes away when the film starts. From there, the audience is unsure as to what will happen to him.

Enter Beth Buchwald (Rose Byrne, “Knowing”), who moves into an apartment in the same building as the title character and tries to remove him from his isolated world. This is something that can only happen in the world of fiction. It takes a real stretch of the imagination to believe that this sexy, smart, charming and utterly irresistible young woman would take an interest in a character such as Raki because he does not provide any signs that he is interested in her. Not only that, but her first few encounters with him, make it clear that something is wrong.

Is she looking for sainthood?

The pair works slightly  in “Adam” because Dancy is a revelation in his moving portrayal of the title character and is believable every step of the way. Through this performance, he’s proven he will be a talent to look out for in the years to come.

The problem with the main character of Adam is in the script and not the performance, which does not do the character justice. The one scene that ruins the picture is where Adam is in an astronaut suit and attempts to wash Buchwald’s window. This is supposed  to come off to the audience as a charming romantic scene. Instead of being an endearing little moment however, it becomes one where you are concerned for Adam’s safety and well-being.

A slightly befuddled performance is given by the Australian beauty Bryne, who comes off as creepy and lonely at times. She often becomes angry when Raki shows any signs of Asperger’s  Syndrome and has to face the fact he is not relationship material.

Frankie Faison, (“Exterminator 2,” “The Wire”) is extremely strong however as Harlan, a friend of Raki’s father, who looks out for him throughout the film. A wonderful scene in “Adam” shows Harlan trying to explain to the protagonist that guys simply don’t talk about the stars during lunch; they talk about women or even the weather, if need be, but certainly not stars. Faison’s performance is truly amazing because he is only given a small amount of time and manages to make the most out of it. This is one supporting actor that deserves to be a leading man someday soon.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the characters of Buchwald’s parents, played by Amy Irving (“Deconstructing Harry”) and Peter Gallagher (“Short Cuts”). The sub-plot involving them is too melodramatic for this film and, frankly, unnecessary. A particularly unfortunate subplot features the husband potentially facing jail time due to an accounting error, threatening to tear the family apart.

The Buchwald family also comes across as overly empathetic and domineering.

What could have been a wonderful new viewing experience with amazing cinematography ends up being completely overshadowed by some amateurish touches.

However, the few beautiful scenes provide enough of a reason to check out this movie when it arrives on basic cable, finally will allow you to see all the potential that was squandered.

When summer action films are a dime-a-dozen, “Adam” could have been a refreshing change of pace, but instead it fumbles in its disregard for the audience’s intelligence.