If nothing else, Hugh Dancy, as the title character with the affliction known as Asperger's Syndrome, has properly captured many of the key traits ascribed to people with AS, as it is known. Unfortunately, this does not necessarily translate into a highly entertaining evening at the movies.

Dancy actually does a more than adequate job playing a young man who is socially challenged due to this neurological disorder. With his fascination squarely centered on the stars and universe, Adam talks like a Rhodes Scholar expert in astronomy, except that nobody else can understand him. This is akin to what Jeanne says about me most of the time. (Not the expert part, the lack of understanding part). But I digress -----

Joining Dancy in the spotlight is the lovely Aussie actress Rose Byrne as Beth Buchwald, a single girl living in New York City who happens to be Adam's new neighbor.
They endure a predictably awkward beginning to their relationship, but soon Beth sees in Adam the potential for something serious. She even consults with a medical expert and buys a book on Asperger's Syndrome. But the real test comes when Adam is introduced to Beth's parents, Marty (Peter Gallagher) and Rebecca (Amy Irving).

As "Adam" progresses, and Beth and Adam become romantically entwined, we see more erratic behavior from Adam, some directed at Marty, some directed at Beth. Dancy is handsome and appealing, and Byrne is stunning. Ordinarily, Adam and Beth would make a great couple, and moviegoers would be rooting hard for their success together.

But something is missing here, and it may be because of the nature of Asperger's Syndrome. It's not exactly the type of disorder that breeds laughter or light moments, such as Dustin Hoffman's autistic Raymond from "Rain Man". As a result, "Adam" is rather drab material, and except for an emotional outburst by Beth, and a reasonably touching scene at the end when she learns that Adam is taking a job in California, I was not particularly involved with either character. Adam's announcement of the new job leads to the couple's ultimate dilemma.

A moviegoer needs to be caught up emotionally with a story like this. I'm sure some of you will find "Adam" heartbreaking, but I wasn't moved, so I say rent it.