US cinema churns out more than its fair share of romantic comedies, but few place characters with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in central roles. However, Adam, a new romcom from Twentieth Century Fox, does just that. The film stars Hugh Dancy in the title role as a young man with Asperger’s syndrome who falls for his cute New York neighbour Beth, played by Rose Byrne.
The film has received praise from sections of the ASD community for its portrayal of Adam as an ordinary person, rather than the extraordinary genius-outsider found in films like Rain Man. Robyn Steward, an Asperger’s trainer who is herself diagnosed with Asperger’s, said “Dancy does a wonderful job of playing someone with Asperger’s. He is sensitive to the role but doesn’t shy away from showing a broad range of emotions. I admired his ability to shows different levels of anxiety, anger and sadness”.
Adam went on national release in UK cinemas on 7 August.
