Here there be wild things

When I think of the movie Where The Wild Things Are, I will think of Sam wiping his eyes, flat palmed with both hands, as he cried at the end.

{please don't go...I'll eat you up, I love you so...}

I noticed it from the corner of my eye and tried to give him the courtesy of not noticing. But tears sprang to my eyes (these things being contagious) and I thought Well, of course. Sam is Max, pretty much. Or was. His imagination. His emotions. His wild and tender ways. His affinity for me and home (where someone loved him best of all...). His sometimes loneliness as his older sisters (although reluctantly) abandon him to play in the world of childhood & make believe alone.

Sam is well acquainted with the wild things and where they are. Spike Jonze has said that he intended to create a movie that captured the book's spirit and what it is like to be a nine-year-old boy. Sam got that. He's not nine anymore but he recognized the geography of that age and connected with it.

Not everyone in the theater did. There was a three-year-old behind us who, after the first monster scene, said I don't want to see this movie anymore (it really isn't for younger kids...Pixar it's not). A few people grumbled under their breaths as we shuffled out of the theater that it wasn't what they expected, wasn't a kids' movie, was quiet and strange*.

Well, yes. I can see that. But it made me want to ask, "have you really read the book?" and "do you really remember what it's like to be a child?" There are scary emotions and swift boats to tantrums. There are rumpuses (rumpi?) and imperfect families and journeys back to forgiveness. There's moodiness and confusion and questions and thin, thin boundaries between delight and disappointment. Everything looms large and monsterish...life so wholly determined by other people's agendas. That's The Point.

It's not like anything you've seen. It is weird. Please though, if you go, just get in the boat, let go, and let the wild rumpus start. It's a great (and trippy) ride.

*then again, there were adult WTWTA fans dressed in footie pajamas and zigzag crowns at the theater, too. They seemed happy with it.

Comments

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen it yet, but have been looking forward to it since your post with the trailer (was it last year?). I memorized the story about 30 years ago when I told it over and over and over again to my then, young children. My oldest son's spouse (age 33) gave it to him as a gift. We had our own sound effects for the wild rumpus and really got into it. Can't wait to see if the movie version is as good as ours! Your post reminded me of a beloved poem by Billy Collins, "On Being Ten". Thanks, Annie, for so often saying so beautifully just how I feel. Well done.

[seven smiles]

We *thought* about seeing it with the kids this weekend, but chickened our per mixed reviews. I'm pretty sure I can appreciate it for what it is, but not sure the kids would. (+ taking all of them makes for an expensive day at the movies... I'll have to think about it some more. Maybe a date for me & B, but a DVD rental for the kids? What do you think?)

[Jenny]

Pretty much ditto what Seven Smiles said. I've been holding off going, since my just-turned-five son would be the most affected by it. (We LOVE the book)
Your review has cemented my decision to skip this one (with him) and see it with my older kids, who can emotionally handle it now, and LOVED the book as younger younglings.
Thanks Annie!
xo

[the wrath of khandrea]

so are they like trekkies, these footie-pajama adults? only what would we call them? rumpiis? rumpies?

great post. i look forward to the quirkiness of the movie.

[Christie]

We took our guys to it Friday night, and I have to say, none of them liked it. I thought the cinematography was breathtaking, but I think we all were expecting a more Pixar-like experience. I hadn't read any reviews and thought it wouldn't be quite so sad and angry.

[Rochelleht]

Thanks for the review. It seems there are always the weird dressed up folks at these types of movies.

[Emily]

Hey Annie,
I can't wait to see it myself but wondered about taking my boys (the oldest being 6) after watching the trailer. Mostly because I didn't want it to be lost on them while they are young, I didn't want it to be a bad experience now when it might be a great experience in a few years. Thanks for the review!

[Michelle]

thanks for your review. It sounds like Sam is the perfect age to take to that movie and since I have a few in that age group I'll take them and leave the rest at home!

[Jessica]

SO happy to hear your thoughts on it. I couldn't decide from trailer what I thought about it.

(As always, you are SUCH a good writer!)