Storyline

In the mid-1970's, a homely, friendless Australian girl of 8 picks a name out of a Manhattan phone book and writes to him; she includes a chocolate bar. She's Mary Dinkle, the only child of an alcoholic mother and a distracted father. He's Max Horowitz, an overweight man with Asperger's, living alone in New York. He writes back, with chocolate. Thus begins a 20-year correspondence, interrupted by a stay in an asylum and a few misunderstandings. Mary falls in love with a neighbor, saves money to have a birthmark removed and deals with loss. Max has a friendship with a neighbor, tries to control his weight, and finally gets the dream job. Will the two ever meet face to face?

Plot Keywords

stop motion, black comedy, understanding, traumatic childhood, suicide, shoplifting, rooster, psychology, psychiatrist, orphan, obesity, based on supposedly true story, typewriter, suicide contemplation, world trade center manhattan new york city, mailbox, fish tank, fish out of water, dead fish, mother daughter relationship

Short Review

This clay animation feels as if it was written by the early Woody Allen. Actually the genius behind it is Adam Elliot, who wrote, designed and directed this eccentric, wryly funny story.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Apple iTunes : Track Price: 9.99, Track Rental Price: 3.99, Collection Price: 9.99

2. Amazon Video : Rent SD $2.99, Buy SD $9.99, Or $0.00 with a IFC Films Unlimited trial on Prime Video Channels