Emma Weylin

Archive for October, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are

A story published in 1963 as a children’s picture book by American writer Maurice Sendak. On October 16, 2009, the motion picture was released featuring Max, his wolf suit and the Wild Things. At first glance, this is a story of a child who goes on an adventure to Where the Wild Things Are after a rather disturbing fight with his mother, where Max bites her on the shoulder. Hence, the reviews that this movie teaches youngsters that children are rewarded for rebellion.

It brings to mind a conversation I once had with a fellow writer. We were sitting in a local Panara Bread, discussing story archs and he flat out told me that not all characters have to have one. To which I agrees, expect in the instance of the main character. No matter how great or small the main identifying character must have an arch for the readers to attach themselves. He disagreed, but I think this move proves my point expertly as does the children’s book.

If one takes the time to look deeper into the story itself and the film, one discovered a truly amazing journey. Max is an upset child from a broken home. His sister is dealing with in her way and so is his mother. Max is angry and full of broiling emotions and fears. It all erupts when Max makes a huge scene one night before dinner. During the ensuing altercation, Max bites his mother and takes off out of the house. A departure from the book, Max doesn’t get sent to bed before dinner, but I’ll let that go. He runs for a while where he comes to small boat. He sails the boat to the island Where the Wild Things Are. Through each of the monsters, Max must face his feelings and his own actions to those feelings. In an inexplicably small change in Max, he decides to go home to the safety and comfort of his mother, where he gets dinner-still hot-and with a piece of chocolate cake!

What makes this story so incredible isn’t the wondrous Wild Things or the physical adventure, but Max’s emotional journey from angry little boy, to someone who is beginning to see the world doesn’t revolve around him. Max grows up a smidge during the move. At the end of the movie, I know he will still have issues with his mother and his sister-and probably still have a few tantrums- but I am left with the hope that Max is beginning to see the world in a different light. Not that his anger and other emotions are wrong, just that there are better, and dare I say, wiser ways of dealing with the chaos in his life.

It was a wonderful movie and I am glad I had the chance to see a movie adaption the original author had a hand in making. I think it lead to a more authentic rendering of the story in a different medium. I enjoyed myself at the movies for the first time in years! Of course, the move was littered with special effects, but for once, they didn’t become the story.

I saw it with my family. Both of my parents, my husband and myself loved it. My 7-year-old was bored, my five-year-old loved the Wild Things, and I think, my 3-year-old nephew had the most unique perspective on the movie. When asked if he enjoyed the movie, he just gave a knowing little smirk, giggled and ran off to play. My sister, on the other hand, only saw the movie as teaching little boys to misbehave. Methinks she needs to take a deeper look into the workings of a little boy’s mind to prevent her own little ones from becoming Wild Things.