 Where The Wild Things Are
By Tamsin Cracknell
When Maurice Sendak wrote the picture-book Where The Wild Things Are in 1963, parents and librarians backed away in dread. Although only 385 words long, the book nailed many explosive psychological truths about pre-pubescent frustration that it was deemed “inappropriate” for young readers.
But children were mesmerised by furious little Max and his imaginary escape to the land of the Wild Things, where enormous shaggy monsters crown him king and then impatiently wait for him to make all their sadness go away.
One captivated youngster was Spike Jonze, future director of such brain-candy as Being John Malkovich and Adapatation, as well as unmistakeable music videos for the Beastie Boys and Fatboy Slim. Jonze's oeuvre is unfailingly youthful, energetic and fun, and the idea of a Spike Jonze children's movie had critics in spasms of anticipation.
Reviews, however, were mixed: some found the film inordinately sad, so intense is the desperation of lead monster Carol (James Gandolfini) to keep his friends together forever. Some were concerned by the rampant violence of the creatures, both in their tantrums and during their exuberant “wild rumpus”. Others were visually disappointed by the Jim Henson animatronics and ethereal forest-desert sets.
But as Time magazine observed: “Freud would adore this movie.” Each imaginary monster is clearly a version of Max himself, from violent Carol, to bitchy Judith, to peace-keeping Douglas, to pitiful, perpetually ignored Alexander. As the monsters become increasingly aggravated, Max's trusted tactics of brute force and distraction fail, and he is forced to learn a fresh approach.
What Jonze has produced is not exactly a children's film, but a faithful snapshot of a child's mind. Everything from the chatty dialogue to the plinking soundtrack of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O has been meticulously arranged to capture the simultaneous agony and exhilaration of being nine.
Don't underestimate your child's emotional intelligence, but do watch it together – there's something in here for both of you. |
