Mary and Max - Characters & Cast

Mary's primary motivation is to find connection and overcome her profound loneliness. She seeks understanding and a friend who will accept her for who she is, flaws and all.

Mary begins as a lonely, insecure child desperate for a friend. Her friendship with Max helps build her confidence. As a young adult, she studies psychology, partially to understand Max, but her attempt to 'cure' him with her book causes a rift between them. After hitting rock bottom with depression and a failed marriage, she learns to accept life's imperfections and the true meaning of friendship. She ends the film as a mother, having found a measure of peace and understanding.

Max is motivated by a desire for order and predictability to manage his anxiety. However, a deeper, subconscious motivation is his yearning for companionship, which he finds through his correspondence with Mary.

Max starts as an isolated, 44-year-old man with severe anxiety and Asperger's, living a life of rigid routine. Mary's letters disrupt his life, initially causing him great stress but ultimately bringing him a deep and meaningful connection he has never experienced. Through their friendship, he learns to navigate some of his anxieties and even offers Mary wisdom from his unique perspective. He ultimately learns to accept his own imperfections and forgive Mary, realizing the value of their bond above all else.

To tell the story of Mary and Max's unlikely friendship, providing context, insight, and a dryly comedic commentary on the events unfolding.

The Narrator provides a consistent, omniscient voice throughout the film, guiding the audience through the characters' lives with a blend of dark humor and poignant observation. His perspective does not change, but he is crucial in shaping the audience's understanding of the story's tone and emotional depth.

Damien is motivated by a desire to conform to societal expectations, leading him to marry Mary. However, his true motivation is to find a loving, authentic relationship, which he eventually pursues.

Damien is initially Mary's childhood crush and later her husband. His arc is one of quiet unhappiness and hidden desires. He marries Mary but is ultimately unable to connect with her intimately, eventually leaving her for a male pen-pal of his own, revealing his homosexuality.