Since the release of Spike Jonze's ludicrously anticipated (at least by me) adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are, the blogosphere has been awash with reviews. So bear with me as I share a few of my thoughts.
The film is most certainly picturesque. Jonze, cinematographer Lance Acord and K.K Barrett's production design definitely do justice to Maurice Sendak's original vision. That said, they've muted the bright greens and blues from the picture book, replacing them with more earthy tones of grey and brown. Knowing the film was shot in Victoria, the blackened, burnt out forest where the Wild Things first romp around provided an eerie (if anachronistic) reminder of the devastating bush fire season.
However, while the film is visually striking, I found its pronounced themes troubling. Jonze and renowned novelist Dave Eggers have fleshed out Sendak's slight story in such a self-conscious and distractingly adult way. The Wild Things are each imbued with one of Max's character traits, be it overlooked, anxious, aggressive or annoying, which works well as a literary device, but results in a film replete with neuroses, melancholia and even menace.
Yes I found the film menacing. Much as there are joyous scenes of childish glee (in a truly remarkable performance by Max Records), they always have an disquieting edge. A beaming Max bounds up to Carol on the cliff edge, then stumbles precariously, the moment fractured. Claws that can lovingly etch initials also represent pointed danger. And in a film where all the world's a fort (with one resembling the Death Star - take that for what you will), Max's constantly crumble around him. Even the first 'stacks on' with the Wild Things includes a shot of Max looking rather stricken as he struggles to find room amongst all the fur. And above all, Max is told in school that the sun is going to die, a fact he relays to his new subjects, to much existential duress.
So it seems Jonze and Eggers have fashioned a children's book into a very adult movie. Perhaps it's a nostalgia exercise, a film for all the adults who grew up with Sendak's beloved book. Because Where the Wild Things Are is really not a kids film. For all the scenes of feverish, frenetic energy, there are layers upon layers of angst. I can't help but wonder how this film might have turned out in other hands. Might Michel Gondry have imbued more whimsy? Could the Pixar team not have made a film that enthusiastically appealed to both adults and children?
Lost souls - image"Will you say good things about us?" Judith - the most neurotic of the wild things - asks Max as he sets off back to his Mum. This appeal speaks volumes about Jonze's 4+ year labour of love bringing this film to life, as well as the earnestness with which he approached the source material. And I can say good things about Where the Wild Things Are: it's a beauty to behold, with an astounding lead performance and an evocative (if slightly over-scored) soundtrack by Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Ultimately, however, it was disappointing to see the film bring a world weariness to this childhood fantasy.
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