Father Thomas McKenzie reviews recent films in his funny, insightful, and always longer than a single minute “One Minute Reviews.” No spoilers here, and no babbling on and on. Just a quick, entertaining, and honest assessment from a guy who loves movies and knows what to look for. About to go to the movies or check out a newly released DVD? Let the One Minute Review save you some time and money.
Aug 3, 2012
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Thinking about spending a couple of hours on Beasts of the Southern Wild? Maybe you should spend three minutes on the One Minute Review first.
I have to disagree with you on a few things. Not the acting, however. You're right on all fronts.
I mainly disagree with your statement on character development. For me, the film is a journey for Hushpuppy. (SPOILER ALERTS for anyone who hasn't seen it). She begins the movie in an idyllic (except for her mother) setting. Just her and her daddy in this amazing community. Then, she does something that she believes messes everything up. Through her narration, we hear her say things like, "if that mistake can be fixed, everything can be made right." As the movie progresses (and again, I disagree with your "lack of narrative" characterization), the beasts that she's unleashed pursue her until she begins to understand that the universe doesn't work that way. That there's not a magic formula to putting everything back. The turning point for me was when she talks to her "mother" in the bar and comes to terms with the idea that this woman that she's been longing for can't fix anything. So she's able to go home and release the beasts. And she's able to deal with her father's death. So at the end, when she effectively says that she's just a little kid in a big universe, it makes sense. That's character development.
All that being said, I agree that it's not completely successful. A question: was the woman in the bar her actual mother? Does it matter?
I have to disagree with you on a few things. Not the acting, however. You're right on all fronts.
ReplyDeleteI mainly disagree with your statement on character development. For me, the film is a journey for Hushpuppy. (SPOILER ALERTS for anyone who hasn't seen it). She begins the movie in an idyllic (except for her mother) setting. Just her and her daddy in this amazing community. Then, she does something that she believes messes everything up. Through her narration, we hear her say things like, "if that mistake can be fixed, everything can be made right." As the movie progresses (and again, I disagree with your "lack of narrative" characterization), the beasts that she's unleashed pursue her until she begins to understand that the universe doesn't work that way. That there's not a magic formula to putting everything back. The turning point for me was when she talks to her "mother" in the bar and comes to terms with the idea that this woman that she's been longing for can't fix anything. So she's able to go home and release the beasts. And she's able to deal with her father's death. So at the end, when she effectively says that she's just a little kid in a big universe, it makes sense. That's character development.
All that being said, I agree that it's not completely successful. A question: was the woman in the bar her actual mother? Does it matter?
You're the man!