In 2009, Where The Wild Things Are hit the big screen and was an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's much loved children's novel.
Where The Wild Things Are was the first feature film for director Spike Jonze since Adaptation back in 2003, and it remains his best movie.
Not only was Where The Wild Things Are one of the best movies of 2009, it is - in my humble opinion - one of the best ever children's movies. It really is a special film.
Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy feels misunderstood at home and escapes to where the Wild Things are. He lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions.
The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them, just as Max longs for a kingdom to rule. When Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where everyone will be happy.
Max soon finds, though, that ruling his kingdom is not so easy and his relationships there prove to be more complicated than he originally thought.
Forget the fact that this is an adaptation of a children’s book this movie is for anybody who has ever run around screaming, climbed trees, rolled in the dirt, then laughed about it afterwards, we all remember those days when life was innocent and care free.
Jonze is the guy who never really grew up and that is all but evident in this wonderful movie Where The Wild Things Are that is possible more suitable for adults than it is for children.
This movie follows a young boy who is drowning in darkness and loneliness, which may strike a chord with many of the audience at one point or another.
Having said all of that, Where The Wild Things Are is a movie that is quite dark - it is a melancholic tale about how a child and only really lose their fear by losing their innocence.
We are use to seeing coming of age movies, but Jonze really does break the mould here by making Where The Wild Things Are a loss of innocence film.
It is a beautiful, dark, funny, and charming tale about leaving your childhood behind, and it is totally heartbreaking.
Where The Wild Things Are may be based on a children's book, but this is perhaps a movie that is more for adults: I imagine some of the messages of the film would be lost on a young audience.
This is also a movie that is incredibly moving - I shed more than a single tear towards the end of the movie, and the scene on the beach between Max and Carol.
There is a terrific central performance from the then young Max Records as Max. He captures the uncertainty and boundless energy of childhood so effortlessly but learns about responsibility and the importance of family along the way.
You may not see James Gandolfini on screen but his unmistakable voice brings the character of Carol to life: and what a powerful and moving performance it is.
Where The Wild Things Are is a truly special movie, and is just gets better and better the more you watch it. A real film gem.
Tagged in Where the Wild Things Are