Where the Wild Things Are – Review
by Bonnie Efird
The theory that the book is always better than the movie may have been proven wrong by this film, written, directed and produced by Spike Jonze.
Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s children’s book captures the essence of the innards of a young boy’s imagination. Plagued by his conflicted childhood, Max, played by child-actor Max Records, is the central character in this poignant and imaginative film. With his adorable freckles and innocent blue eyes Max speaks few words, but conveys a great deal of emotion.
After he decides his mother’s new boyfriend has replaced him, his sister doesn’t need him, and that having real friends isn’t an option, Max sails off to conquer the imaginative world where the wild things are in his wolf-“onesy”, growling, snarling, and howling. In this tale of escapism, Max’s journey out into the unchartered territory of his imagination is symbolic for his coping with the changes and growing pains in the life, and fulfilling a void caused by his broken family life.
By far the most impressive part of Jonze’s work in this film is the originality he was able to maintain within the film. Although the movie required a bit of expansion from the merely 40 page book, Jonze tenderly expanded the film without over-interpreting the symbolism within. This allows the viewer to watch the movie through their own lens and to interpret, as they will, the natural symbolism in the film.
Perhaps the most touching part of the film is that it maintained its simplicity, symbolic for the inner workings of a child’s mind. It is the simple story of a lonely boy, searching for companionship and adventure in the depths of his own imagination, far from the harsh reality of the cruel world he lives in.
The beginning of the film almost takes you back to childhood as Max carelessly flings himself down the stairs in the house chasing the family dog. As the opening scene of the movie, the audience is automatically captured as the camera jerkingly follows Max down the stairs in a disorienting and disruptive way, jolting as if someone was running down the stairs with camera in hand. This intimate view inside Max’s life allows everyone to experience boyhood.
It is perhaps just that which has caused this movie to be loved even more by adults than by children. Who wouldn’t love to experience childhood again? Who wouldn’t love to escape from the monotonous day-to-day routine, or the harsh realities thrown at us in this cruel world? Jonze does a great job of allowing audiences of all ages to journey back into their own childhoods, remembering the great imagination and adventure that we no longer have time for.
The wild things Max encounters on the island are such imaginative creatures it is almost hard to tell what kind of animal each is. This dreamlike world where Max becomes one of the herd is a beautifully portrayed place, and is exactly what you would imagine it would look like when reading the book. Each creature’s personality helps to develop the plot, while King Max rules over the forest and those whom reside there.
It is in this imaginary world where Max is able to get the attention he wants, and experience true friendship. For a young actor, it seemed as though Max Records was able to create depth within his character, and understood well the fire burning in King Max’s heart. Tearing down each of the creatures’ homes, having a dirt clod fight, and arguing with the creatures to prove his king-ship, Max Records did a fine job of playing the typical “temper-tantrumy” angry child.
Although Jonze leaves many questions unanswered, this provides some of the beauty of the film, and symbolizes the mystery of childhood. With refusal to interpreting the book, Jonze avoids explanation.
Some may think the movie is a bit slow (especially wigglely kids), and it does, the true beauty lies within its simplicity and originality. There is only so much action that can be slammed into a children’s movie. However, it seems as though this film has been more of a hit with its tried and true audience—the adults--Those who were around to read it when it first hit bookstores in 1963.
This long awaited film does anything but disappoint, and it’s sure to become as classic a movie as it is a book.
