This is a movie that had no general U. S. theatrical release and yet, may be one of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman’s best acting performances.

Mary and Max is a delightful clay-animated film about eight year old Australian Mary Daisy Dinkle and her 40-year-old American pen pal, Max Jerry Horowitz. While that age difference scenario has so many opportunities to go bad, this film handles their relationship with care and gentleness that makes you applaud the ending. Over the more than 22 years that Mary and Max correspond, the themes of  childhood neglect, autism, obesity, suicide and depression are handled deftly and humorously. We learn a lot about ourselves as we watch a pen pal friendship get tested and ultimately survive.

The fact that this award-winning film was not even nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 82nd Academy Awards is disturbing. Granted, no one was going to beat Pixar’s Up that year, but this film is head and shoulders above Fantastic Mr. Fox (which was nominated). Mary and Max’s subject matter is difficult, but it remains a very enjoyable film and deserved more consideration than it got.

It’s voice acting is top notch and Hoffman shines as Max. His (Max’s) pain and anger are vividly conveyed to the audience and we win because of his performance. Not to be outdone, Toni Collette’s Mary reminds us that growing up and growing old are not the same thing.

This movie about lonely people finding friendship and comfort in each other’s words is heartwarming and deserves your viewing consideration. It is available on Netflix, iTunes and Amazon Video.