“Where the Wild Things Are” is delicious!
IF YOU COME FROM A NEUROTIC FAMILY, WATCH THIS CLIP BELOW:
(If video doesn’t work, double click it and watch it on Youtube in a new window. Come back and read the text when you are done watching, thanks.)
“Where the Wild Things Are” is the perfect Courageous Loving movie. It truly asks its hero the question: “Who are your relationships calling you to become?” and takes him on a journey to discover the answer.
Like the book, it follows young “Max” on an adventure to escape his frustration over being punished for bad behavior – but it is so much more. It lets the viewer swim through a gentle storm of neurosis, neediness, criticism, loneliness, codependency, abandonment, lying, reactivity, anger, bitterness, heartache, narcissism, rejection and fear — but somehow does so in a way that you feel like you are receiving a deeply satisfying bear hug. I’ve never seen a movie that seems to embrace so much vulnerable behavior so quickly and with such density. It is a visual representation of everything that I believe in on this journey of healing and personal power.
Think of it this way – imagine taking all the negative attitudes, language and behavior of everyone in your life, your parents, your partners, your children. Take all the things you don’t like about them, all the things that trigger you and all the things you haven’t forgiven them for. Somehow, suddenly you find a way to make those negative character traits palatable to you, even enjoyable, like old friends. Then throw all those character traits in a muddy lake, take off your clothes and swim in the lake like it was the warmest day in the summer and the water never felt so refreshing. That’s what it’s like to watch this movie.
When we work with clients, we take them through a system that has them swimming through their dark side. One’s toughest relationship frustrations are a call to one’s deepest growth. We go into the darkness. What’s cool is that this movie gives me so much hope. It sprinkles such bittersweet joy onto this process, as we witness Max find his way to become King of his dark inner world. I could hardly find a finer role model than this film to teach people what this journey is all about.
Kindly scroll up and click the comment bar to share your thoughts.
Warmly, Michael
Michael, great commentary. Thanks for the glimpse at the movie and your metaphoric view. Be well, Naaz
Thanks so much for reading and contributing to the conversation. You’re welcome anytime.Michael Sherman – http://www.CourageousLovingNation.com
I didn’t see the movie yet so I don’t have the context of the entire film to base this comment on. That said, your description made me want to see the movie. It does sound like a wonderful metaphor for adults living in our complex world of people and emotions. However, the brief clip I watched from your blog, made me question how good this movie is for children. There seemed to be a lot of confusing, powerful things happening that children would need some help processing. I’m sure this film provides an opportunity for some good parent-child discussions later, but I also worry that some children would see it and be left feeling confused and/or overwhelmed.
I totally agree about your comment that it can be confusing. We did bring our daughter Twyla, but we whispered to her throughout the movie and shared with her about feelings – and then we re-read the book at home. so we created a lot of context for emotional expression for her. It’s not disney, it’s not pixar. It’s complex. like life.Michael Sherman – http://www.CourageousLovingNation.com
Michael,
Thank you for blogging about this film.
I was moved so deeply by it; I will definitely see it a second time. I just absolutely adored it. Yes, it is a metaphor for the complexity of relationships and feelings. I felt that it looks at the model of family and community. When we first get to see Carol’s mini utopia that he built, and then we see everyone coming together to really build it, it’s extraordinary.
The only part that fell short for me was that Max really had a transformation, but I’m not sure the Wild Things came out with a deeper understanding of how to hold space and dialogue through conflict to keep their family, or community strong. What do you think?
I love your comment. And yeah – they couldn’t succeed. That’s why they’re monsters and max had to return home. And when he got there, he found his supper. And it was still hot.