"Sometimes perfect strangers make the best friends."
Mary and Max - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
The reason I forgive you is because you are not perfect. You are imperfect. And so am I. All humans are imperfect.
— Max Jerry Horowitz
Context:
Max writes this in a letter to Mary after a long period of silence. He had been deeply hurt when Mary published a book about his Asperger's syndrome, seeing it as a betrayal. This quote marks his decision to forgive her and re-establish their friendship.
Meaning:
This quote encapsulates the film's central message about acceptance and the nature of true friendship. It signifies Max's profound realization that flaws are an inherent part of being human and that forgiveness and love are possible not in spite of these imperfections, but because of them.
He said I would have to accept myself, my warts and all, and that we don't get to choose our warts. They are part of us and we have to live with them. We can, however, choose our friends, and I am glad I have chosen you.
— Max Jerry Horowitz
Context:
Max writes this to Mary, relaying advice he received from his therapist, Dr. Bernard Hazelhof. It comes at a point where Max is grappling with his own identity and the nature of his bond with Mary, affirming the value he places on their friendship.
Meaning:
This quote, quoting his therapist, highlights the theme of self-acceptance and the conscious choice involved in friendship. It's a powerful statement about embracing one's own flaws while actively choosing to surround oneself with supportive and understanding people.
You are my best friend. You are my only friend.
— Max Jerry Horowitz
Context:
This line is part of a letter Max writes to Mary, expressing the profound impact she has had on his life. It is a moment of pure, unadorned emotional honesty that defines their relationship.
Meaning:
A simple yet incredibly powerful declaration that reveals the depth of Max's loneliness and the immense importance of his friendship with Mary. It underscores how this single, long-distance connection has become the central relationship in his life.
When I was young, I invented an invisible friend called Mr. Ravioli.
— Max Jerry Horowitz
Context:
Max shares this detail with Mary early in their correspondence, offering her a glimpse into his isolated life and his coping mechanisms. It sets the tone for the kind of deeply personal and unusual details they will share throughout their friendship.
Meaning:
This quote immediately establishes Max's lifelong struggle with loneliness and his imaginative, albeit solitary, inner world. It's a poignant and quirky detail that makes his character endearing and relatable despite his eccentricities.