This film tells the story of Max, a frustrated young boy who is at ‘that difficult age’. He sails away to a fantasy island populated by small group of equally complex monsters who each represent one of his character traits or a fixture in his life. Like Max, this group of beautifully rendered bi-polar bears are looking for someone or something to blame for their feelings and the situation they are in.
This film eschews traditional plot structure in favour of raw emotion. It follows the basic narrative of Maurice Sendak’s 13-page book and fleshes it out with the sub-texts as identified and interpreted by director Spike Jonze and screenwriter David Egger.
The level of enjoyment for adults here will depend on how in touch you are with your inner child. If you vividly recall the emotions you endured at seven years old, this film will be a very gratifying experience – even more so if your home life was in some way disrupted.
For parents wondering whether it is appropriate to take young children to see this movie, the short answer is yes. Wild Things is no more disturbing than an episode of The Moomins and while it deals with themes they may not yet fully grasp, the film’s beguiling effects, bewitching score and lush cinematography ensure it will be an adventure they never forget.
