That wild rumpus *spoilers*

Before seeing this movie, I had read Pip Lincolne's post about it here and found it really interesting. It was enough to decide that it wouldn't be for Sienna (or Ash, but for him it's more about age than personality), though I had actually gotten that impression from the trailers already. I went and saw the film tonight and thought it was amazing.

Altogether I found it beautiful and sad. Max's feelings of loneliness, fear, insecurity and anger were so strong and really resonated. I was crying within 5 minutes of the start of the film (his sister's friends destroy his igloo as a sad climax to Max's childish, boyish method of reaching out for connection by starting a snowball fight) and probably spent half the film the same way or close to it - sometimes out of empathy and sometimes just from the powerfully emotive atmosphere. But that's me, right? Some people wouldn't react as emotionally, but still appreciate it in a great way. Some people wouldn't get it at all.

In the same way, whether it is a movie for kids. Not little kids, there are some frightening images from the monsters in one or two spots. But a few kids Sienna's age (6) would be ok with that I think, it would be offset by the thrill of the wild rumpus and childish abandon, dirt clod fights, fort building and just awesome imagination at play. Kind of like The Princess Bride or The Labyrinth have scary parts, parts that freaked me out completely as a kid, but I still loved the films. Or like The Dark Crystal - pretty freaky in parts actually - the death of the Skeksis king comes to mind - but also interesting and fantastical. Most 6 year olds I think would find it quite difficult. The storyline is abstract, the resolution is vague. The wild things are still sad at the end, Max doesn't apologise to his mum, it is not your standard formulaic movie. I'd probably think 10 year olds and up would appreciate it (still be scared, at least some, but have it still be worthwhile), but that totally depends on their personalities as well. All the melancholy and anger may upset, or it may just make the film all the deeper and intriguing for them.

One review states "Let's be clear though - this is not really a kid's film. The themes of anger, loneliness and melancholy coupled with some dark, sinister visuals are the stuff of nightmares. The younger end of the audience may find it hard to watch - but that said, there's wonderment aplenty in the vision Jonze has had."

I feel like a bit of a wild thing, a bit of Max and a bit of the mother. They all resonate. The imagery is stunning and real. I want to go and build things out of sticks and mud, now, and photograph wild children in earthy dress-ups. Very inspiring, very emotional, very different.