Rose Byrne and Hugh Dancy in the movie Adam

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Sweet, simple and more than a little dodgy, writer-director Max Mayer's "Adam" gets a lift from its ensemble, thereby proving that a film's acting typically is the least of its problems.

Millions live with the high-functioning autism classified as Asperger's syndrome. Millions more lives are affected by their relationships to, and with, the "Apsies." In the film, Adam works as a toy engineer, has a fierce interest in astronomy, enjoys watching the raccoons in Central Park near his apartment at night and has only begun to cope with the death of his father, his longtime caretaker. British actor Hugh Dancy plays Adam; Australian actress Rose Byrne lends some sparkle and truth to Beth, the neighbor in his Manhattan apartment building with whom he becomes involved.

A romance blossoms, attended by a few dramaturgical thorns. Beth's father (Peter Gallagher, a pro when it comes to untrustworthy glad-handers) may be going to prison for his business dealings. Her mother (Amy Irving), unlike her father, isn't so quick to write off Adam as unsuitable suitor material. Mayer connects his dots neatly. In facile interludes, Adam is counseled by a friend of his late father's, played by Frankie Faison. As Beth, initially wary, draws Adam out of his socially maladroit shell, she becomes a better person herself. Adam's reckless honesty and lack of filters perform miracles -- he's a truth-teller, a sweetheart and a saint.

Problematically, though, Mayer rushes the section of the movie that needed the most development.

As Beth's preconceptions and doubts melt away into romance, the script's weaknesses begin to show. "Adam" never fully convinces us how these two would get together -- not because the title character has Asperger's, but because the title character comes up a dimension short of a three-dimensional entity.

This is where the actors earn their paychecks.

Dancy's charming furtiveness (or furtive charm) very nearly feels like a full creation. Byrne's Beth is so canny about being vexed, amused and seduced by her neighbor, you almost believe what's happening despite the contrivances. "You're going to be the first person I thank in my Newbery Award speech," she says to Adam, after they spy on the raccoons in the park. She's a schoolteacher with children's-book-writing aspirations. The tone of the film is very much like the book that comes out of their relationship. It is uplifting to a fault. Larded with the most relentlessly reassuring musical score of the year, "Adam" is an easy-listening problem drama for the eyes. But I did enjoy watching what these actors could do with their melody lines.

Adam MPAA rating: PG-13 (for thematic material, sexual content and language).

Running time: 1:39.

Starring: Hugh Dancy (Adam); Rose Byrne (Beth); Frankie Faison (Harlan); Mark Linn-Baker (Mr. Klieber); Amy Irving (Rebecca Buchwald); Peter Gallagher (Marty Buchwald).

Written and directed by Max Mayer.

Produced by Leslie Urdang, Miranda de Pencier and Dean Vanech.

A Fox Searchlight Pictures release.

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