Quin GootWhere the Wild Things Are (2009)
December 18th 2009 00:46
Spike Jonze's adaption of Where the Wild Things Are, the celebrated children's book by Maurice Sendak. I haven't read the book, although given its fame and length, adapting this one into a 101 minute motion picture adventure whilst managing to capture the essence of the story, would surely be no easy task. Bold and dashing. Well, I had no expectations going into this one, I just wanted a good adventure, hopefully with some originality behind it. I would surely remember Jonze if he screwed this one up.
Where The Wild Things Are focuses on Max, an eleven year old boy with behavioural problems, who, on the surface, appears to just want to gnaw things and hit things and growl like an animal. I enjoyed the opening scenes where Max, in his little animal suit (which he wore throughout the entire duration of the film), tackled his dog, only to vehemently challenge it to a growling contest. Born to growl. Max's animalistic behaviour is challenging his struggling single mum, who also has two other children. Things get out of control when the recalcitrant little Max decides to bite her. With the two of them shocked at this turn, Max makes a run for it, ending up in a little cove where a sailing boat awaits him. Heading into the big blue, Max sails through the night until the following evening, and in rough seas he comes to an island, where he discovers the wild things and the beginning of an emotional journey.
The film opens in a shaky style, and rather than being contrived, or a vain attempt to steer away from the norm, it adds a feeling of angst and restlessness, which gives depth to the film. Adding to the film's mood, is the location, which is raw. The capricious sea and barren landscapes give depth to Max's journey and his relationship with the wild things. I am not sure what I expected going into this, but this wasn't it. Rather than immersing you in chimera, the scenery appears very much like parts of my home. Only the wild things are ultra strong and super adept at building their homes.
When Max first encounters the wild things, he meets Carol (played effectively by James Gandolfini), who has a tumultuous and playful energy very much like his own. In fact all the wild things are rather child like and reminded me of big loveable out of control dogs. As Max assumes the title of king and begins to live, play and work with them, emotions run high, and Max's life is mirrored before his eyes, as anger, sadness, frustration and motherhood are played out amongst them all. The film contains its fair dose of violence and anger, especially the latter, although it is not done gratuitously, rather it honestly reveals the imperfections of life and childhood whilst confronting Max with his emotions.
Where the Wild Things Are comes across at times as depressing and uncomfortable, even a little bizarre, but certainly not without meaning (seen especially in Max and Carol's relationship). There were parts in this where I laughed out loud and others where I cringed at the rage and emotional dysfunction (I wouldn't recommend this to young children). By the film's end, I found it hard to empathise with the wild things, rather I felt that Max should just get the hell out of there. However, I did find myself liking this one more upon reflection, some time after I'd left the cinema.
Jonze certainly didn't screw this one up, as it is a clever and thoughtful film, but not for everyone.
Three point seven five strong angry bananas out of five.
Ggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
The film opens in a shaky style, and rather than being contrived, or a vain attempt to steer away from the norm, it adds a feeling of angst and restlessness, which gives depth to the film. Adding to the film's mood, is the location, which is raw. The capricious sea and barren landscapes give depth to Max's journey and his relationship with the wild things. I am not sure what I expected going into this, but this wasn't it. Rather than immersing you in chimera, the scenery appears very much like parts of my home. Only the wild things are ultra strong and super adept at building their homes.
When Max first encounters the wild things, he meets Carol (played effectively by James Gandolfini), who has a tumultuous and playful energy very much like his own. In fact all the wild things are rather child like and reminded me of big loveable out of control dogs. As Max assumes the title of king and begins to live, play and work with them, emotions run high, and Max's life is mirrored before his eyes, as anger, sadness, frustration and motherhood are played out amongst them all. The film contains its fair dose of violence and anger, especially the latter, although it is not done gratuitously, rather it honestly reveals the imperfections of life and childhood whilst confronting Max with his emotions.
Where the Wild Things Are comes across at times as depressing and uncomfortable, even a little bizarre, but certainly not without meaning (seen especially in Max and Carol's relationship). There were parts in this where I laughed out loud and others where I cringed at the rage and emotional dysfunction (I wouldn't recommend this to young children). By the film's end, I found it hard to empathise with the wild things, rather I felt that Max should just get the hell out of there. However, I did find myself liking this one more upon reflection, some time after I'd left the cinema.
Jonze certainly didn't screw this one up, as it is a clever and thoughtful film, but not for everyone.
Three point seven five strong angry bananas out of five.
Ggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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