I know it has been a long time since I have posted a review, but the movie I saw last night renewed my faith in the film industry! Few of you will have even heard of this film, but it is the best movie I have seen so far this year.
The title: Beasts of the Southern Wild
The story: A six-year-old girl named Hushpuppy lives with her father in a bayu community called “the Bathtub.” This community is completely cut off from the rest of the world by a levee which keeps the water out of Louisiana and in The Bathtub. The people of The Bathtub live by their own laws and social amores, and have a vibrant culture all their own. This film is basically just a glimse of life through the innocent eyes of a small child who knows nothing else but the world she lives in.
Describing this film is difficult because it is an experience more than just a story. Although they live in poverty, the people of The Bathtub, including Hushpuppy, would live nowhere else. When a storm threatens their very lives, they choose to stay rather than enter the world so familiar to us, yet so foreign to them.
Although Hushpuppy’s relationship with her father would be considered extremely abusive by the standards of those of us living North of the levee, to her and those around her it is normal and the film lays no moral accusations on the situation. This is an extremely emotionally heavy film, but at no point does the viewer feel manipulated into any certain emotion, rather the story is simply presented and the viewer is free to feel whatever they organically would. This is the main reason that I am so impressed with this film and why I consider it true art and not just entertainment.
There are other reasons why this film is impressive. The cinematography is all very close and intimate, making the audience closely relate to the small child protagonist. The Score is powerful without being overpowering. The characters are all so beautifully multifaceted and true to life. The acting is also beyond compare. At no time does the viewer feel that they are watching actors, but more like watching real people in a documentary. I think the fact that none of the actors are recognizable helps with this effect, but the performances are so subtle, even in their drama, that they truly draw you into their world and make you feel part of it.
As far as rating this one goes, it’s pretty simple.
Entertainment- 3. Although this movie holds the attention from beginning to end, it is not the one if you are looking for something light to fill a couple hours. It is difficult to watch at times, and there isn’t any real comedy or action sequences.
Award-Worthy- 10. I think I gushed enough about the merit of this film. There is no weak point in my opinion.
