I saw "Where the Wild Things Are" over the weekend. The artistry and creativity of the film are top notch. However, I am not sure that the film's message is especially helpful.
Without giving too much away, the film is about a boy struggling to come to grips with his parents' divorce.
The story effectively explores the emotions that many children of divorce go through. But, in the end, it communicates that it is a child's responsibility, not the adults' responsibility, to "grow up" and "get over" his parents' divorce.
The only conclusion I could draw from the story arc is that divorced parents really have little responsibility for the behavior of their child or the consequences of their actions - it is up to the child to come of age and deal with it so that his parents don't have to feel guilty.
If you have seen the movie, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wild Things
4 comments:
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As a die-hard movie buff, I looked forward to seeing this movie. Movie-goers who critiqued it on Fandango overwhelmingly said, "Go." The people had spoken, so I went.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely hated it! For the first time in my life, I actually considered walking out on a movie about half-way through. I stayed, waiting for some redeeming grace, some note of reason, something rather than violent and selfish behavior.
There was no life lesson here for children except how not to behave. My children are grown now but I had to keep asking myself how I would have explained this movie to them when they were small. If your children are young and impressionable, please do not take them to see this movie!
The children's book was never one of my favorites, but, it WAS my sister's, and she took me along to the movie. Neither of us enjoyed it. It is definitely NOT a children's movie! It was confusing, sensual in places (one male (?) monster kissing shoulder,etc of another female (?)monster), & had troublesome adult emotional situations and relationships. I would agree that the overall message is that children are responsible for dealing with their parents' divorce...(and...they are NOT equipped to DO so!)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the movie. Fortunately, my kids are in middle and high school so I didn't plan on taking them. I fondly remember the book, however, from my childhood and read it to my children. It's interesting how the writers, producers, and director took the movie out of context and apparently lost the wonderful message I took from it--don't lose your ability to imagine great things as you age.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen it yet, primarily because I am not going to take my six year olds to it (and, fankly, that's really the only way i get to see movies these days). I have been surprised how many of my friends, parents who are generally pretty savy about media, etc. are taking their young kids to it.
ReplyDeleteThe more I saw the trailer and heard/read reviews it became clear this isn't a movie targeting kids. It's targeting the people who grew up loving the book. From what friends have told me, I think I would recognize myself and my experience more than my kids would.
Some folks have said it would make a great conversation starter with teens.