Where The Wild Things Are Review
October 25, 2009
Where the Wild Things Are is not a kid’s movie. It is not a movie at all, really. Despite being brilliantly executed, it is too much a blatant allegory of life and not enough of a story. Director Spike Jonze however, should be applauded for his bold vision and action.
The movie does a great job of mirroring real life by arguing that authority figures, like parents or presidents, often have just as few answers as ten-year-old boys. But moviegoers typically do not pay ten bucks to watch that truth play out and then not receive any kind of conflict resolution. The audience sat still for 23 seconds as the credits rolled; they were waiting for a resolution. It never came.
The ending of the movie does complete the allegory of life by providing no clear answers, but it does not suit a story. And stories are what draw people away from their lives and into the movie theater.
Aside from the strange plot, the movie shines in every other aspect. Whereas child-actor Max Records’ performance is convincing, the performance by the animatronic puppets is beyond convincing; it is downright real. The cinematography is breathtaking. The score is vibrant and fitting. And the universe of the book could not have been made more real.
Beneath the surface of the movie-screen, however, Jonze fashioned into the movie some bold, and potentially controversial choices. The relationship between the main creature, Carol (voiced by James Gandolfini), and the main character, Max, is slightly homoerotic. The two characters carve each other’s name inside hearts, and there is a scene where they lie facing in a scene of flowers.
Again, Where the Wild Things Are is not a kid’s movie. It is a bold film that attempts to be controversial, revolutionary and allegorical. It succeeds in being too allegorical. Only time will tell if future films take after it. And it will be controversial if the masses understand and react to the subtle commentary.
MP3 Karen O & The Kids – All Is Love
MP3 Karen O & The Kids – Sailing Home
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Tags: Karen O, Where The Wild Things Are
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I absolutly love it!
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October 26th, 2009 at 7:34 am
I agree with you about Spike Jonze’s beautiful realization of this book on film. I disagree about the point you made about the plot though, I think it would have been a disservice to the book to do any more. The book seems to focus on evoking a mood more than telling a story and I think film does the same. I think the last shot of Max embracing his mom was pretty much perfect.
Also I thought Carol represented Max’s absentee father and also parts of his own anger, depression; didn’t see anything homoerectic. I think we agree though, this was a great film and it is very open to interpretation / discussion.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:07 am
I agree, beautiful cinematography, well chosen soundtrack. Story was just lacking and left me wanting something, anything.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Homoerotic? No. I don’t think so.
The end of the movie is the most brilliant part. No dialogue required. Just hot food. Didn’t you read the book?
I think you made it more artsy than it is and missed the point.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I loved the book and had a great childhood with it. But in germany nobody know the amazing history. Pity!
December 14th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I agree it’s not a kids movie. I saw kids in the cinema and they were much more interested in their popcorn and yelling at their mama’s.
The subtle commentary is what made the film so beautiful. So simple yet I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the screen for a moment. It captured my heart and made me tear up as Max sailed home and Carol began to howl. It’s all about connections and fitting in where you’d suspect you’d never belong.
Huge kudos to Karen O & The Kids for an amazing soundtrack album!
Let the wild rumpus start