Where the Wild Things Are Directed by: Spike Jonze Cast: Max Records, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Catherine Keener Running Time: 1 hr 41 mins Rating: PG Release Date: October 16, 2009
PLOT: The cinematic representation of Maurice Sendak's popular children's story about a young boy whose animalistic behavior forces him to run from his domestic problems and into a world of his own creation. Amongst a forest in a distant land, young Max befriends a slew of brutish animals who help him realize his way.
WHO'S IT FOR? Anyone who's parents haven't exposed them to this story may not been too keen to explore this story. However, director Spike Jonze' adventurous ways with the camera may be enough to lure even causal fans of the book to the theaters.
EXPECTATIONS: There was so much buzz about this film going in, it was difficult to make a bold prediction one way or the other. I did, however, fully expect Jonze's rendition to be unique. There were some doubts about how the story would visually translate from page to screen.
SCORECARD (0-10)
ACTORS: Max Records as Max: Eleven-year-olds aren't often asked to shoulder the burden of carrying a much-talked-about feature film. With a fantastic name to bolster his confidence (Max Records? Really?!), the youngster is very good at depicting a bratty rebel without a truly telling cause. It's obvious the absence of a father figure in his life is the catalyst for his angst, and we couldn't expect Records to fully compute such domestic social discourse, or could we? Either way, once the film carries on in his fantasy-land, we see a cheerful, imaginative kid hold his own amongst the monster's of his own creation. Score: 8
James Gandolfini as Carol: Few Sopranos fans would have been able to expect much range from their Godfather. Still, Gandolfini's cinematic resume has its share of dramatic highlights (did anyone see The Mexican? He was the only reason to). As an alpha-male monster with a lady's name, we get a gripping vocal performance that provides the film with its grit, and at times, it's heart. Though we're rarely certain why Carol's such a troubled character, Gandolfini's quiet (occasionally violent) pursuit of balance is the driving force behind what makes this film worth your time. Score: 9
Catherine O'Hara as Judith: One of Hollywood's most underrated comic actresses, O'Hara gives the film it's most lighthearted moments, along with some of it's most eerie. Her character is the most judgmental of the monster/animal clan, and has a fickle sense of humor that often befuddles Max beyond his youthful mental capacity. She won't be your favorite character, but delivers a steady (often needed) bit of comic relief in timely moments. Score: 7
Catherine Keener as Mom: The mother in the fable/book was stern, and virtually non-existent, so Keener's work load was more than cut out for an actor her her ability. What do you do with a character who many young readers viewed as a punishing protagonist? I'll say this, she certainly has a "keen" eye for tugging at our tear ducts. Though she understandably has very little screen time, the joy we see in her face upon her son's return (though to her, he's only been gone for a short while) is enough to make us re-evaluate our doubts about the strength of a mother's love. Score: 8
TALKING: There are several great exchanges between Max and his animal friends, but it's the general giddiness of the whole ensemble that steers the film more convincingly than the dialogue. They speak to each other like children who are quick to distrust a friend they would have stepped in front of an errant rock for moments earlier. Score: 7
SIGHTS: Wow. Max's world is enhanced by the beautiful fort he and his new pals team together to create. Though there's always an underlying inevitability regarding the joy the world provokes, its sights are beyond worth seeing. A stunning child's world in which possibility out-weighs nay-sayers. Score: 9
SOUNDS: Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) gives us a steady catalogue of heart-string-plucking tunes that sneak in and out of the scenes much the way Max saunters between his new friends with a gleeful abandon. What's great about her voice is that it always sounds as if it could burst open, much the way it does when she's doing her day job (singing for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs). This only enhances the possibilities in a world created within the head of an adventurous young child. Score: 8
PLOT SPOILERS
BEST SCENE: The conclusion. Without giving EVERYTHING away, I will say Carol's silent goodbye to Max is about as tear-jerking as anything you'll see onscreen this year.
ENDING: The joy in Keener's eyes as she gazes at her son's rapid consumption of the food he ditched out on to go "find himself" is enough to fulfill those who would likely dismiss the story as too childish for the big screen.
QUESTIONS: Could Jonze have found more substance in Carol and Clarie's (Pepita Emmerichs) relationship. There was so much unsaid between them, it almost folded the entire story in two with no explanation for such speculation.
REWATCHABILITY: Certainly. How many times did your mom read this book to you? Exactly.
OVERALL
I wanted to give this film a 10/10, but it had too many holes in it to stay afloat long enough to achieve such perfection. Spike Jonze WAS the perfect choice to direct this film, but atypical directorial ideas can only take a film so far. Still, it's best we don't forget this is a film based on a book that has TEN TOTAL SENTENCES. That's all. Not a solid foundation, by any means. However, when you have just over an hour and a half to make a film worth our wild, it's only nice to flesh out the characters past just making them likeable. The underlying, unanswered questions that plague the plot between these "things" causes me to deny this film a "classic" tag. It's still very well done, and an enjoyable experience to say the least. Still, you very much feel like you're being left in the dark regarding some of the most telling stories beyond the story.
FINAL SCORE: 8/10