For those of you not aware, WTWTA was orginally a picture book written by Maurice Sendak. It was ten or so pages, and about as deep as one of those fancy white ketchup holders they have at resteraunts. It had an undeniable charm, but I'd never have thought it'd make a good film. Boy, was I wrong.
This movie is not made for kids. This isn't to say that the violence is gratuitos, although there is a severed arm, and it's not to say that you shouldn't take your kids to it, because you should. On the surface, this is an enjoyable family film. The thing is, though, Spike wrote this for adults. If you want to see an enjoyable, lighthearted talking animal film, you can. But, Spike leaves a passage to a deeper place in the film. Themes of change, power, and how we handle it. There's not a villian in this film, there are only flawed protagonists. For people who have seen the movie, think of the conversations about dust, the mud fight, and the sun conversation. Think of the dead kings. There's so much depth here, if you look. It's one of those fillms that leaves you with a puff of air in your stomach, an uncertainty. Nothing's clear.
I loved this film. It's one of the year's best, up with, well, Up. The animation's amazing. If you haven't seen it, please do. It's so different, such a breath of fresh air, that it needs to be supported.
More posts are coming soon! I'll see you then. If you've seen the movie, sound off in the comments!
Tomato
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Long time, no see, Tomato!
ReplyDeleteI have not yet seen the movie, but my daughter read the review and said it is RIGHT ON!
Mrs. M.
Hi, Tomato. Since you loved the movie, you many enjoy reading the book, WILD THINGS,by Dave Eggers. He wrote the screenplay for the movie. I think he wrote this book prior to the movie, when he imagined the "story" behind Mr. Sendak's original story. I saw the movie this weekend with your second-cousins (or should I call them your little cherry tomatoes, 2nd down the vine?) who are 8 and 10 years old. They liked it, but I LOVED it. I think that affirms your review :-) Cheers!
ReplyDeleteYour Mom's Cincinnati Cousin,
Michele