Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
Directed by Spike Jonze
Length: 101 minutes
Rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action, and brief language




Even if you hate reading, you have to admit you had at least one favorite book/story as a child. There are the classic Dr. Seuss books, The Rainbow Fish, and many more; but almost everyone cherished Maurice Sendak's classic children's book Where the Wild Things Are - a classic tale of a young boy craving attention and adventure, who runs away to an island of monstrous creatures who embrace the boy (Max) as their king. While the modern master Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) does not stray too far from the basic concept of Sendak's work, the interpretation takes on a much darker tone that may be lost on the more casual viewer.

As stated earlier, the protagonist is Max, played by Max Records (interesting name, eh?), a young, angry, and adventurous boy who craves attention and the chance to be wild. Raised by his single mother, portrayed by Catherine Keener (Cyrus, The Soloist), Max screams, claws, and bites at those who fail to take the time to play with him. After one particularly nasty fight, Max runs away from home, only to take a boat that whisk him away to a strange island full of giant creatures that think Max is their king. Wait...he is whisked away on a boat to an island? I know, I know...can we say deus ex machina; but you have to remember this is a movie told from the eyes of a young child with a vivid imagination. So just go with it; in fact, just accept a majority of the movie as a child would and you will enjoy it more. Crowned king, Max leads the monsters in dog piles, fort building, and dirt clod wars. As we learn more about the personalities and flaws of the characters, Max's fantasy develops a more disturbing meaning.

While Where the Wild Things Are can be interpreted in many ways, I took the monsters to be a representation of Max's family and how he perceives himself in said family. Carol, voiced by everyone's favorite mobster James Gandolfini (Welcome to the Rileys, The Sopranos), represents a patriarchal figure for Max; due to Carol's unpredictable and sometimes violent nature, it is not unreasonable to believe Max had an abusive father that is no longer a part of his life. Though Carol loves Max, he often threatens violence on those that disagree or hurt him. Paul Dano (The Extra Man, There Will Be Blood) voices Alexander, the goat-like creature that nobody listens or pays attention to, a la Max. These are but a few of the creatures, but you can begin to understand that Max is more than just an adventurous little boy, but a person suffering from psychological trauma. Trauma manifested via aggression, wild behavior, and a vivid imagination that all lead to a constant need to "act out."

Maurice Sendak wrote a timeless classic enjoyed not just by children but adults as well; however, Spike Jonze has developed a much darker rendition aimed at challenging the audience to look past the surface of the film. While it is easy to see Max has a vivid imagination that leads to adventures and trouble almost equally, the reasons for his behavior can be inferred if one can connect the dots between Max's fantasy and his real world. We all manifest the happenings in our lives in different ways. Some people write poetry or songs; some use such events to motivate them towards a greater goal. For a little boy like Max, he creates an entire world where he has friends that listen, play the games he develops, and follow his ideas with conviction. Ultimately, the film poses the question: where are your wild things?

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Carol: "If I was stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing, it'd be Douglas. We can share him if you want."