spoliers...
This film was among the freshest I've seen. It's certainly one of those that are both for kids and adults. The dialogue is simple and stumbling over itself. Sometimes characters really just don't know what to say, and that's how it really is. Don't often see too many films in America where kids act (and SOUND) like kids...like when he's trying to convince the beasts not to eat him and he imagines superpowers that he makes up on the spot, always rambling/adding to them so he can't be defeated in anyway. But conversation is also deep with things that will have adults nodding their heads or thinking inward. The sadness of the wild things makes you laugh, really laugh, but also pulls at you in strange ways. Carol's longing for KW (and her need to go away), Alexander feeling he is constantly ignored, Douglass' support for others above himself, Judith's down emtions, Ira's gentle simplicity, etc. It's like the wild things are certainly all adults and they have the ability to express like adults, but they express more with the bluntness and passion of kids. Everyone's honest and for once, clear too the point of being selfish.
Actors are great! Max is so realistic on the struggle it is to be a child. In having your feelings hurt with almost no one noticing, in anger, in love, in imagination, in growing, in thoughts of what life means. Also, great in showing the struggle of parents. The mother's love for her son is so beautiful, especially in her battle to deal with his tantrums and her obvious tiredness of being a single parent without any time to breathe.
Like ET, wonderful in its subtleness to letting go and being a family.
The ending brilliant with the mother drifting off as she gazes in tiredness and relief and love at Max. Without words, without all problems being solved, just letting go, reuniting, gesture and expressions from the eyes, and that good thing called getting your dinner at home. Beautiful.
Camera is great, often hand held (you feel like a kid). Where the WTA...is awesome, not to bright and kitsch like other wonderlands. More like a desert or rocky woods. Perfect place for a kid to run away too. Soundtrack wonderful too. The songs I could imagine coming from a kid if they had the ability to compose and write, but also the scores are wonderful (and I wish they put those on the CD soundtrack, but alas).
Apologies, I've only seen this once and it was a few weeks ago, and I must watch it again, this time with a kid. Some review remarked that would hopelessly confuse a child viewer. I disagree! While kids and adults would see different levels, like the REAL Alice and Peter Pan, its a story for children and for those who once were children. Not one for pushing morals or lessons, but shows the sudden and moving passions of growing up and the importance of imagination.
I'll write more clearly and with better thoughts later. For now, must away!
Home
Help
Search
Login
Register
Print