Audio Commentary: Digging Deeper into 'Where the Wild Things Are'
Who is the movie for, and where will it go from here?
Photo: Warner Bros.
We are moving into phase four of Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are. First came the long production marred by arguments, reshoots, anticipation and hinted at disagreements between filmmaker and studio. Next came acceptance and increased anticipation as the movie blog world embraced the film sight-unseen and Warner Bros. built their release around the anticipation. The trailers captured audience interest and while with luke warm to celebratory reviews, audiences turned out to the tune of $32.6 million on opening weekend, making for a successful phase three.
However, here we are at phase four. The week after Where the Wild Things Are was crowned the box-office champ and word-of-mouth begins to spread. Some would say it's already spread after earning $12+ million on Friday and Saturday only to walk away with a mere $8 million on Sunday. With a price tag of $100 million one would have to assume we are still looking at DVD and Blu-ray releases before the film turns any kind of a profit, but let's push the business dealings aside and discuss the film for a second.
Peter Galvin at Twitch opened his review with one of the more to-the-point statements I have read with regards to the film. It's honest and cuts to the chase in the first three sentences:
Did you have a happy and secure childhood? Good for you! Spike Jonze's movie is for the rest of us, the little lonely kids who battle anger and despair and depression without ever quite knowing how to deal with those feelings in an "appropriate" manner. Where the Wild Things Are doesn't traffic in cheery imagery or indulge in superficially uplifting narrative twists. Instead, it exudes a calming spirit of acceptance, acknowledging the darker side of childhood and positing no easy answers to the meaning of life.
Now doesn't that just paint a picture of a film you want to see? While it is rather devoid of cheerfulness when discussing what is presumed to be a children's film I think it takes this certain kind of introspection to discuss this film on any terms of greatness, because I think that is where the film is going to connect to those that truly love it.
I can understand the comments many have made as to tearing up in the film's final moments, even though I would hope people were crying because Max is leaving the Wild Things in absolute shambles as opposed to the sadness related to his leaving them and KW's final statement, "Don't go. I'll eat you up, I love you so." However, tearing up is one thing, but does the fact a film made you cry make it great? How about the caveat presented in Peter's review above? Can a film speaking to a specific audience truly be considered great if those of us on the other side just don't see what the fuss is all about?
Then again, how much of a fuss will actually be made when it comes to general audiences? CNN just posted an article headlined "Parents upset, bored by 'Where the Wild Things Are'" which doesn't exactly bode well for week two turn out. James Griffioen of Detroit, Michigan is quoted saying, "It was joyless. There were maybe 15 minutes of the hour and a half that my kids were into it."
Then there's this exchanged shared by Devon Adams in Chandler, Arizona:
For Devon Adams in Chandler, Arizona, the problem wasn't keeping his 5-year-old daughter, Claire, interested — it was dealing with the aftermath of the violent scenes.
"She and her friend seemed to enjoy the film, but when she returned home, she threw her own tantrum, bit her mother very hard (something she does not do), and told her she was going to run away from home and go to where the wild things are," Adams said.
Adams, a high school English teacher who considers himself to be a big "Wild Things" fan, expected "a story about a boy throwing a tantrum and being sent to his room without dinner, [imagining] going away to a far off land where he feels important, and eventually realizes that he misses his family and returns home."
In his view, what he got was radically different.
"I did not expect a film that promotes a weak parent figure who fails to seem to be concerned for her children, a main character who truly seems to need a therapist and a 'Wild Thing' that throws temper tantrums by destroying private property and physically abusing others," Adams said.
Laremy and I discuss all of this and then some in our latest audio commentary which you can listen to directly below or click here to download directly. For more of my opinion on the film you can read my review right here.
Have a movie related question you think would be a good topic for an upcoming audio commentary? Let us know in the comments below!
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It's nakedly obvious your guys' problems are with your fellow bloggers and the critical community more than the film itself. I know it's tough to focus JUST on movies when your job is to keep your hand on the pulse of public reception, so I understand.
I am not surprised the children and parents are not finding a cheerful, happy children's movie when they go to see Where the Wild Things Are. That's just not what it's about. It is about a boy who is dealing with feelings of anger, frustration, loneliness, depression and rage as a result of his family situation. Parents have to really ask themselves if their children are ready to watch this movie.
@Rory: My problem with the film itself has nothing to do with other people's opinions. Any comments related to comments from fellow bloggers or critics is simply a commentary on the reviews and coverage, not the film. I may use their commentary to look for further explanations, but not as a way to form my own opinion.
I approached the film as openly as one possibly could given my specific circumstance, just as I have to do with all films.
It would be disingenuous of me to say early commentary doesn't affect my opinion, but doesn't the same goes for all of us?
you guys need to start doing more audio commentaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's not a kids movie and the obviously awful parent who said this, "It was joyless. There were maybe 15 minutes of the hour and a half that my kids were into it.", was clearly looking for an hour and a half long DISTRACTION for HIMSELF so he wouldn't have to actually be a parent to his kids.
Which to me speaks to exactly what some people are missing about WTWTA: it's not just about being a child. It's about what happens when you are not ready to move into another stage of development. Max isn't a toddler, he is at an age where he is on the cusp of prepubescence and the world outside his home really morphing into something other than what he has known before. Paired along side the changes inside the home with his mother and sister. So he withdrawals to a place where everyone else represents the fears and changes he is not ready to face.
And one more thing, because a movie is sad DOES NOT make it a bad film. Does the ending of The Godfather make you feel all warm inside, as Michael has all of his enemies killed?? How about Taxi Driver, with Travis going on a killing spree? Or if you insist on saying this is a kids movie, are the first 15 minutes of UP really so uplifting it makes you want to go pick wild flowers?? Or how about the end of up for that matter, are you REALLY overwhelmed with joy when you realize that Carl and Russel still don't have the people they really want? Or that Carl is going to die one day and Russel is going to have to experience that loss???
Please, if you didn't enjoy the movie that's wonderful, movies are meant to be liked, disliked and discussed, but because a movie is not a shitty Sandra Bullock Romantic Comedy where everyone lives happily ever after should NEVER bed used as a condemnation.
(clearly I've made my opinion on this film known, and I don't expect anyone to take away from WTWTA what I did, because my experience with the source material is unlike anyone else's would be, but I feel like the MAJORITY of criticism I've read has been people who said, "it's beautiful, the Wild Things are a technical wonder, Max is amazing but the resolution isn't happy for anyone and the narrative didn't spell everything out for me so I hate it" and that is sad and ridiculous.)
Quite a hateful review. Everyone as a child is forced to deal with adversity, it's completely unavoidable. I felt this movie was trying to capture the adversity every child inevitably feels while growing and maturing. You guys talk about how not everyone's childhood is sad and depressing, I ask you both a question; how is it possible to completely avoid the unfortunate events we experience as children, and along with it the intense impact it will have seeing as we were too young to handle it? Great movie in my opinion, I could care less whether it won Oscars or not, this movie is one of a kind. I haven't seen one like it before in my entire life.
@T: "How is it possible to completely avoid the unfortunate events we experience as children, and along with it the intense impact it will have seeing as we were too young to handle it?"
I'm not sure what you are referring to? I can only speak for myself and I have no unfortunate or intense events in my childhood that affected me on any substantial level. My childhood was not sad or depressing, it was actually quite fun. Unless you know something I don't.
The mistake some people seem to be making is the assumption everyone's childhood was the same as theirs. To say "every child" is an absolute that just isn't true.
Some moviegoers are absolutely ridiculous. They have no lives and they pick on smart movies that they simply don't understand. I saw Wild Things in a crowded theatre on Friday, full of kids and adults, and everyone seemed to enjoy it alot. There was even applause. This backlash is truly surprising to me. But seriously, if you didn't like the movie and if your kids didn't like it, be an adult and MOVE ON! There are more important things in life….
One other thing, a 5 year old child is too young for this movie! This moron Devon Adams should've known better. The perfect age is 8 and up.
@Stephen: This is a movie website. We discuss movies here. So "moving on" isn't really a great option, unless we get into auto repair or something.
@T: Yes, you're making my exact point. Everyone's life is filled with adversity, so why is this story special and worth watching? If I made a film about respiration or eating would you call it genius?
@laremy: My comment wasn't aimed at the website. When I said people should "move on", it was aimed at angry parents who complained about the film being too dark and such. Their whining proves grating and they should, in fact, move on. I wasn't intending my comment to mean stop talking about the movie on this website. Just wanted to clarify.
@Stephen: Stephen, when did your parents read this book to you? How old were you? How about the rest of us? I don't know where you got the whole "8 & up", and the MPAA sure doesn't differentiate between ages of people. I, like you, hoped for some sort of nostalgia and to share the screen version of a beloved child's book with my daughter. Instead I got a monster who gets mad at his best friend and rips his arm off. What if your kid went home and tried to do the same?
My blog post was my reaction to seeing a film and how it was different from what I had expected, that was not whining. I trust we can all have an academically, respectful discussion about art without resorting to calling people Moron or other names.
@Stephen: Gotcha, fair play.
@Devon Adams: Hey Devon, I don't really want to debate because mainly they are pointless. Calling you a moron is harsh, I will admit. I don't really mean it. But what I am going to say is that PG means Parental Guidence. The movie was rated PG, not G.
@Stephen: Thanks for apologizing. I was confused at your suggesting PG meant 8years of age and up as it does mean, as you said Parent Guidance as I was doing, and yes it was harsh. Thanks. Good luck in future movie going. I sure hope the holiday season brings some good ones.
Okay, I just saw the film, I liked it didn't quite love it. I think some people are overreacting. I'm pretty positive that every child has experienced anger and loneliness at some point. The movie wasn't that scary, violent nor sad. I had my 7 and 8 year old cousins with me and they enjoyed it. Some of the cartoons that come on tv are waay more violent than this film (Dropping an anvil on someone's head is pretty violent to me).
As for the age limit, maybe 7 and up because the younger kids may not be interested. Sure, some kids may not be into it, but isn't that the case for almost every film.
I cant wait to see this movie i just know it will be so cute
@Brad Brevet: I personally loved the film but I have to agree that its made for more the 12+ crowd then young kids. I believe that Jonze made a film similar to the book in the sense that its meant for both kids who are dealing with those emotions at the moment and adults who can relate. Which is why people are so touching about the book. As you get older, the themes of WTWTA just become more personal and important to the reader.
If it just does not work for you personally that's fine, that's just how I personally feel about both the book and film.
@laremy:
the respiratory system and the human psyche are two completely different things. There are countless movies that have been made that analyze the human psyche. This movie focuses on the hardships of being a child in particular. The point is to capture the confusion and sadness that coincides with the non-enjoyable moments we experienced as children. As said a million times before, each wild thing represents an aspect of max's emotional smorgasbord. And Brad, who are you kidding, nobody has a perfect childhood. You cannot possibly claim that your childhood was a perfectly balanced.
all i have to say is that you guys must be a bunch of fat negative nerds to really argue about a movie, i mean REALLY! its a movie! get over it. be adults and suck it up.