Film Review: Where the Wild Things Are

Spike Jonze (real name Adam Spiegel - which isn't even that dull in the first place) has adapted the much loved children's classic, Where the Wild Things Are, into quite the film adaptation. Nestled somewhere between that strange phase of life where we are still a child yet simultaneously sniffing the entree to the main course that is Growing Up, the film pointedly reminds us that childhood is not all innocence and sugar plum fairies and everyone getting along.


Where the Wild Things Are opens with the hugely energetic Max (played incredibly endearingly by Max Powers - his real name) dealing with a couple of issues: first loneliness, when his sister - clearly a beloved buddy-at-play - disses him to hang out with her boyfriend and his friends in a way that leaves Max feeling isolated, embarrassed, confused and hurt. (I know! Poor Max! I wanted to cry with him - being the youngest child I totally knew how that one felt). He retaliates, but is instantly full of remorse as he confesses what he has done to his mum. Later, Max is confronted with uncertainty and a fear of change throwing a hugely impressive tantrum after clearly freaking out when he sees his single-mum mum on a date (with hotty Mark Ruffalo). It's here that Max is sent to bed without supper, with both his mum and Max looking completely bewildered by Max's naughtiness and anger. Seizing the moment, Max runs away and it is from here that we are transported to the magical land where the Wild Things are.

Max befriends the strange-looking creatures upon arrival, and suddenly becomes their king (amidst a rather ominous warning that they've eaten all their past kings!). But Max pushes on, and becomes most taken with Carol (played by James Gandolfini who I adore ... and that voice! Tony Soprano was everywhere in my mind during the film) and KW, whom Carol adores, yet is continually hurt by as she seeks to explore the world and new people - leaving Carol feeling a little like Max has done with the rejection by his sister.


Without going into further detail - read the book, see the film - I can highly recommend this film. It is beautifully shot - filmed in Victoria - and the puppets (with real people in them! their faces are digitally played with for the lovely expressions) all combine to create a fantastically true reproduction of Maurice Sendak's 1963 book. The themes explored are quite dark - loneliness, grappling with change, being pushed into growing up and being responsible when childhood seems so safe... As Spike Jonze reportedly said "It's not a film for children - it's a film about childhood". And so it is. I loved this film, and Max Powers was remarkable. The voices were superb, and the cinematography glorious.

4 stars.