I realize this may be a risky pick, or you simply think I’m lazy, or even stupid, but I really enjoyed this film. I’ll go ahead and say, on the record, that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban almost took the prize for this genre, but I really believe this film deserves this honor. There may not be another film that captures the highs, and lows, of being a young boy better than this film.
Filming a children’s book can be risky business. From what I’ve heard, no one has successfully transformed a Dr. Seuss book into an acceptable film. No, I haven’t mustered the patience, or courage, to watch Jim Carrey or Mike Myers channel a Seussian character. In this film, however, Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers (I really would like to read more of Eggers work) screenplay channels both the magic, and horror, of Maurice Sendak’s Caldecott Award Winner. This book amazed me as a child (according to my memories and the recollections of my mother, a reading specialist), and the film lived up to the bar I set for it.
Jonze deserves a Best Director nomination in my opinion. This film is magical, horrifying, loving, angry, and funny. Not a small feat, and I believe a feat that deserves such an honor. I am tired of hearing parents bash this film as not appropriate for kids. HELLO!?!?! Did you read the book? It’s about a hyper, belligerent, even violent, young boy who, after getting in trouble for disrespecting his mom, “disappears” into his imaginary world where wild monsters roam free. What did you expect, a cartoon fish, a talking genie, meatballs falling from the sky? This film is more in line with other great children’s films (and stories) that are also dark … and frightening. I watched the Wizard of Oz for the Wicked Witch and those terrifying monkeys, whom, to this day, still freak me out. Guess what I remember about Bambi (well, besides Thumper) … Bambi’s mom getting killed! Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows weren’t sad at all … they were utterly gut-wrenchingly painful. Star Wars wasn’t all roses either. I cried in Empire when Han was frozen and then, GASP!, Vader told Luke he was his father. That’s uplifting, finding out your dad not only has respiratory problems and is half machine but is the Dark Lord of the Sith. Ok, ok, I startled to ramble. My point is that GREAT kids movies, or stories, aren’t all rainbows, ponies, and chocolate sprinkles. These films are about loving, and losing those you love.
Speaking of Oscar nominations, I see no reason Keener (Max’s mom) and even Max Records shouldn’t be in consideration for the golden statue. Keener is excellent in a minimal role, and Max, well, his parents named him appropriately. He’s perfect here.
My only concern is the casting of James Gandolfini as Carol. I kept having images of Tony Soprano as Carol, and those two characters are complete opposites. At times it just didn’t jive for me.
If you have an open mind and aren’t afraid to go out on a limb, check this film out if you haven’t. You’ll be glad you did ... I think.
Honorable Mention – The Prisoner of Azkaban (again, not a light kids movie)
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