'Wild things' on the big screen
Everyone has a favorite book from their childhood. It’s the one you made your parents read until the pages tore and the spine creased.
For many that book was “Where the Wild Things Are,” a classic children’s tale written and illustrated in 1963 by Maurice Sendeck. While old, the story’s charm is timeless, and is now making its appearance on the big screen this Oct. 16.
Not familiar with the book and soon-to-be film? The plot itself is quite simple; in fact the book contains only a mere ten sentences.
The story unfolds using a combination of fantastical creatures, rebellion and adventure. The real joy of the book comes from its visual depictions of the monsters. They are massive, furry, thick-horned, yellow-eyed “wild things” with gourd-shaped noses—what’s not to love?
While the monsters act as the icing, the real support (or cake, if you will) is the book’s young protagonist named Max Records. Max, who always wears a wolf suit (honestly, who here doesn’t), is sent to bed without supper by his mother for misbehaving. Alone in his room, he passes time by imagining a magical forest filled with “wild things.”
These creatures are frightening, but Max is not afraid. He tames them by staring directly into their eyes without blinking—not even once.
Through all the mischief and fun, Max realizes that he misses “those who love him most.” Soon the time comes for him to decide between the unruly world of the wild things and his caring mother at home.
Reading this as a kid, it’s the creatures that make the story attractive. Adults realize that this simple story also reveals a child’s inward struggle between rebellion and the desperate need for a mother’s love.
While a cute children’s book, it’s difficult to imagine it in film form, particularly because it’s so short text-wise.
But director Spike Jonze explains in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that creator Sendeck gave him full reign on the piece, telling him “Take this, make it your own. Make it something personal.”
It should be a perfectly haunting and touching experience. Check out the movie in theaters Oct. 16 and pick up the soundtrack Sept. 29. Watch the trailer here.
Tags: books, Children, Movies, Wild Things
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