Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Yet Another Post about Where the WIld Things Are

photos courtesy of Warner Brothers Films

I've been a little (very) sensitive this week. It's easy for me to get weepy. Like when I read this review by A.O. in the NY Times. I haven't seen Where the Wild Things Are yet. I've been saving myself for it. I do that when I order uni in a sushi restaurant too, although maybe that's not the same. It's not about saving the best for last but more that My first glimpse of this film will be a moment so much larger than me. It's personal un-discovery is to be savored for a day when I am prepared to be blown away and to have put it all behind me all at once. Once known, the experience of it will morph into a different thing--sort of like the loss of innocence or something.

The review is about taking children to see films which convey difficult and lifey subjects. Here are some excerpts*:
" No place is free of conflict and bad feeling, and no person has the power to make problems disappear. Where there is happiness — friendship, adventure, affection, security — there is also, inevitably, disappointment. That’s life."

"The impulse to protect children from these kinds of stories is understandable. Like adults, they experience plenty of hard feelings in their daily lives — at home, on the playground, in the classroom, in their dreams — and they may want, as we do, to use movies and books as a form of escape. Bright colors, easy lessons and thrilling rides that end safely and predictably on terra firma have their place. But so, surely, do representations of the grimmer, thornier thickets of experience. That’s what art is, and surely our children deserve some of that too..."

I am in some thorny thickets at the moment, trying to feel my way through as an adult, maybe.

* written by A.O. Scott for the New York Times

16 comments:

cindy* said...

those thorny thickets seem to be everywhere lately...life, at least for me, is often scary and overwhelming. i can't wait until you see the movie.

Cindy said...

i agree with cindy* about your seeing the movie. i also want to see it, but something is holding me back. i find the pixar movie's often have some heavy themes (love, loss, etc.), especially 'up'. i wonder if kids pick up on them like we do. i didn't see any kids crying like the three times i did.

Asya said...

I loved this movie, it's subtle, and I feel like I need to see it again. For me, it was reliving my experience as a child. I'm looking forward to hear your reactions to it, Deb.

Emily said...

Hi Deb,

I'm pretty hesitant about seeing it because the book was a childhood favourite of mine and I'm afraid it won't live up to my wonderful memories. Still, i'd be interested to know how you liked it if you decide to go.

Bonbon Oiseau said...

I'm happy with it being different than the book--I'm also ok with its themes--the review does a nice job of analyzing this in terms of taking kids to see it but i haven't seen it because i'm afraid it will be like meeting a boy i know i'll fall in love with (circa 1989). What I think will happen is that it will speak to me on a visceral and cerebral level and make me the kind of reflective i'm just a little bit fearful and also in awe of (refer to 1989 crush). but i am just masochistic to step over that line. just a thought...but keep it comin'...

Amy@OldSweetSong said...

"Where there is happiness — friendship, adventure, affection, security — there is also, inevitably, disappointment. That’s life."

LOVE.

I did a Wild Things post today, also. I guess we are on the same page right now, mama. I am sorry for your thorny thickets. I want to de-thorn for you at once.

nadia said...

oh deb it took me a while to see it and i did, oh even writing this now i realize that i am not prepared to talk about it. all i can say is that i think that there is sensitive children who stay that way in there adulthood and vise versa and as an adult now i can only look to my parents with gratitude for what they let me see,read and part take in but that is me.

i am having a whole bunch of anxiety about bright star, sometimes movies like these can have me close the curtains of my heart thinking that the fibers could tare easily.

just that you wrote this makes me want to get to know you even more big hugs and small nudges.

Elizabeth said...

I have heard rather mixed thing about wild Things
a book my children loved
I'll keep you poated!

Katrina said...

i saw it. and the puppet costumes are just as pretty as they seem. that's all i'm going to say until you've seen it! there are so many good movies out right now, i love the distraction...

erin said...

ugh, thorny thickets indeed. hoping you find a way to scramble out of yours. sending lots of internet style hugs your way. xo.

Melissa de la Fuente said...

Oh, I haven't seen it either Deb....but, i know exactly what you mean. I hope your "thorny thickets" release you soon....let me know if you need anyone to come and help break you out. I adore you...
xo
Melis

Anonymous said...

A lot of people I know walked out it.

Cannelle Et Vanille said...

what a beautiful review... i love how life can be bittersweet for all of us. it's matter of fact. we learn so much about ourselves through that. can't wait till you see the movie and tell us about it.

Marie said...

I suppose it's been said by my betters, but pain is a great muse. Unadulterated happiness can be a barren playground for a creative person.

But I know that's poor comfort :-)

^^

Mrs.French said...

I knew something must be a little different in your neck of the woods...it's been quiet. I think we all have moments like this..I just finished a sensitive time a couple of weeks ago...if you need anythin let me know. Maybe we can see the movie together...I am saving it too...xo t

onesilentwinter said...

OH!! deb i am so glad you went to sunday suppers- it sounds liek it was wonderful!!

but most of all that you are feeling better!