“Where the Wild Things Are” is one of those movies that’s really going to make parents think. Think about their kids, about how those kids feel towards you, about your own child hood and much more. But the keyword is “parents.” While framed as a kids’ movie and based on a famous kids’ book, “Where the Wild Things Are” is the most adult kids movie released in recent memory. Kids will probably love its imaginative visuals and straight forward story, but the film’s true aim and messages will fly over their head much like the creatures that it portrays.
Based on the award winning children’s book by Maurice Sendak, “Where the Wild Things Are” is co-written and directed by Spike Jonze. Parents might know Jonze from his own award winning work both in music videos (such as “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys) and films (“Being John Malkovich” & “Adaptation”). Jonze is undoubtedly a genius with child like wonder and he brings that mentality to the film. As the film starts, we meet Max (played by newcomer Max Records) who seems to be quite the loner. His sister is growing up, his mother is dating and Max’s massive imagination is in dire need of outlets. That problem leads to a fight with his mom (Catherine Keener) and Max escapes his house and ends up on a mysterious island. (In the book the island forms in Max’s room strongly suggesting it’s in his imagination. In the film the island is treated more literally.) On this island, Max meets several huge, gorgeous but imposing creatures that – like Max – seems to feel lost and lonely. Max soon becomes their king and he and the Wild Things live life moment to moment – they play, they build forts, they throw dirt and more.
As this is happening, viewers can take it in one of two ways. Either Max is just dealing with his own complex emotions, as represented by each one of the Wild Things. Or there’s the more literal interpretation that Max is just living out every child’s fantasy to be the king of his own kingdom of wonder. Jonze’s direction never suggests how we should read the movie, leaving it wide open for interpretation. That becomes both its biggest flaw and greatest asset. Is this a film meant to teach us about our own families or is it just the story of a boy who is growing up in front of our eyes?
And all the while, “Where the Wild Things Are” presents an undertone of unease and menace. While the Wild Things come off as gentle at times, there’s always this sense that they could rip Max’s head off without a second thought. Whether or not that was intended by the filmmakers, it’s a feeling that other family oriented movies do not have and parents should be aware of. Scares like that, and others in the movie, certainly hammer home the point that the filmmakers think kids should be face their fears.
Those adult messages ultimately make “Where the Wild Things Are” a very interesting mixed bag. It’s completely gorgeous, completely family friendly and is sure to open up some very productive lines of communications between parents and kids. And each person who sees it will undoubtedly get something totally different out of it. For some, that will be a mind blowing experience. For others, that will be an exercise in subjective frustration. Either way, “Where the Wild Things Are” is not a simple kids movie. It’s a family movie in the sense that it’s more ABOUT family than FOR the family.
“Where the Wild Things Are” opens Friday, Oct. 16. Come back to KidGlue then for more on this groundbreaking film.
