[BLOG] Beasts of the Southern Wild

[LondonCityNights]

So after some long thought I've decided that I didn't like this film. It's technically brilliant, but I found it politically repugnant.

Here's my review: http://londoncitynights.blogspot.co.uk/ ... ected.html

[Beate]

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 068&type=1

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

I went to see this today.

i though this was an absolutely wondrous and enthralling film, depicting the struggles, pride, optimism...and pessimism of a poverty stricken part of the world, shot through the eyes and thoughts of a 6 year old child ("Hushpuppy") who's brought up by a single parent father. The narrative is laden with beautiful poetry complemented with raw imagery and camera work. But its the thought process of Hushpuppy fused with imagination that gives the narrative a truly dynamic, refreshing and slightly surreal perspective. There are mysteries that unravel during Hushpuppy's journey of discovery, some of them with poignant revelations.

The relationship between the father and child is complex and powerful and is the heart and soul of this film for me and pretty much dominate the screen time but it was ultimately the journey of Hushpuppy's education of life, death, hope, resolve, and disappointment that really drove this film to its emotional crescendo.

Hushpuppy was amazing, I mean truly stunning. There are so many good child actors these days but this one is has a natural demeanour and at no point is there "acting" to be observed, just simply a 6 year old child going through all the motions and emotions that any child would realistically be going through. A quick look up on IMDB tells me this is the child's first movie. It also says that it is the father's first movie too, which astounds me because he was also terrific.

I have to say though, that the beginning was so very off-putting, an overdrive of shaky cam, with deliberation of alternating shots that are in focus then out of focus. This opening precedes the main opening credits and it absolutely infuriated me. I can handle shakycam films, in fact I love them when done appropriately, they have a charm but its appallingly overdone here. Thankfully, things settled down after that opening sequence and on reflection I can understand their thought process behind it, to give a sense of the erratic and wild behaviour of a community in celebration BUT there must be moderation to this technique, calm da f*** down Mr Cameraman.

Also, it did take a little while to slip into the mindset of the child. It was disorientating and to be honest, I was a bit bewildered with what the hell is going on but one has to groove in and bear with it, I did feel rewarded with that initial patience eventually.

Its not a fanciful fantasy, I dont think they market it as such, though, do they? Its very much a down to earth reality but given the child's perspective, you get a touch of surreal. Probably enough to make this one of my personal favourite indie films of the year, second to Perks of Being a Wallflower.

8.5/10

Very minor spoiler, in case anyone wondering why I refer to the child in a certain way (not sure if this is even a spoiler)
[spoiler]There is a reason I dont mention the child as a he or her. Having not actually read the synopsis and only knowing that this was a success at the Sundance Festival, I did not know the real sex of the child and the way the film rolled, I thought it was a boy. The father treats the child like a boy. Its only later on, I realise the child is a girl and I think this was a deliberate reveal, right? Wasnt it? Even if it wasnt, it was effective to me![/spoiler]

[Cortone]

Saw this in Leeds yesterday, and thought it was totally stunning - a truly unforgettable movie.

Hushpuppy was simply fantastic, and I had no issues about the subject of TheycallmeMrGlass's spoiler. But everything else I agree with and he says it so much better than I could.

Go see this. It is a truly wonderful (in the full meaning of the word) film.

[Celini]

Months after everybody, I finally caught this tonight.
What a very odd film. For most of it I was unsure whether I was loving or hating what I was watching. Charming and atmospheric. I loved it.
I am certainly rooting for the mesmerizing Quvenzhané Wallis comes Oscars night.

9/10

[The Sparrow]

Isn't she just fantastic? It will be lovely to see her on the Red Carpet and I bet whoever is announcing her category is practising how to pronounce her name even now!

[Celini]

I am "voting" for a co-attribution at the Oscars: Michelle Riva and Quvenzhané Wallis. That'd be fantastic for the oldest and the youngest to be awarded on the same year.