Keeping My Fingers Crossed for Where the Wild Things Are
Since this film is currently classified as in post-production, details are subject to change.
Let me tell you something about Spike Jonze. He’s the antithesis of mainstream. He’s the guy who carelessly splatters paint on a canvas, which is later framed and hung in a museum, leaving you wondering, “What the fuck? My near-sighted little brother could have done that!” And somehow, in some way, that piece of art is regarded as a work of genius and is bought at auction for more than I’m worth to God, Himself. Well I’m the guy who buys that canvas. I don’t always care to take notice, but Spike Jonze refuses to allow me to write him off as a filmmaking hack. Because he’s not. He’s brilliant.
It’s not too early to be excited about Jonze’s upcoming feature film, Where the Wild Things Are, which is currently slated for an October 2009 release. The source material is the children’s picture book by the same title, written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak (who is also producing the film). The book, which has been lovingly giving generations of children nightmares for over 40 years, shares the story of young Max, who is scolded for tormenting his dog. After being sent to his room without dinner, the boy’s imagination allows him to manifest his feelings of anger into a terrible world inhabited by large monsters who crown him their king.
Jonze seems almost too perfect a choice to direct the adaptation of this fantastical and non-conforming tale, having as big an imagination as young Max, himself. The director comes from a background of music videos, having created noted works for Beastie Boys, Björk, R.E.M., and other artists who are known for their creative and off-beat work as much as Jonze is. Though his experience directing feature films is limited, Jonze’s imagination is capable of filling a space of five minutes or two hours with great authority, while always leaving his creative mark. His feature film credits include Being John Malkovich (1999) and Adaptation. (2002). Having paired with screenwriter Charlie Kaufman on both projects, Jonze earned a Best Director Academy Award nomination for Malkovich.
If the director’s previous works serve as any indication, I expect Where the Wild Things Are to be another treasure trove of rich, creative thinking, capable of stretching and twisting our brains beyond the bounds of normalcy. But Spike Jonze is one person and even he can’t take full credit for his successes. It’s not the man, but rather the people with whom he surrounds himself. Well in this instance, it’s the man and the surrounding individuals who so keenly and masterfully exhibit their talents in some of Jonze’s best-admired works. Having collaborated closely with Kaufman (an Oscar-winner in his own right), actor Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich), and cinematographer Lance Acord (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation.), the clichéd phrase comes to mind: If it ain’t broke … And that would explain the power combination of Jonze, Keener, and Acord in the director’s newest venture. (Jonze is also demonstrating his producing chops on Kaufman’s directorial debut of Synecdoche, New York, which co-stars Keener.)
As winner of the 1964 Caldecott Medal, one of the book’s most esteemed qualities is its illustrations. If there’s one thing that could easily hurt the film, it would be its inability to meet the expectations set by the book’s classic renderings. I believe Acord to be capable and up to the challenge, and assuming he values the book’s look and feel as much as its loyal supporters do, I don’t think the book’s fans have anything to worry about.
The film mixes live action, animatronics, and CGI to help take the viewer to a world where Wild Things dwell. The book’s large, overbearing monsters will be realized through suitmation, which fits actors into large puppet costumes (think the Muppets). Computer animation will help us visualize the Wild Things gnashing their terrible teeth and rolling their terrible eyes, as Sendak describes.
With expectations as large as the book’s monsters, the film can just as easily disappoint as much as it can satisfy. However, Jonze’s hands are quite capable and his track record should serve as proof. On the other hand, much like abstract art, an eyesore to one may be eye candy to another. I choose to release some positive vibes and expect great things to come. There’s still plenty of time before this film greets a darkened multiplex near you, but in the meantime, I’ll plan on reserving a spot on the wall for another masterpiece.
Along with Keener, Where the Wild Things Are stars Forest Whitaker, Paul Dano, and Catherine O’Hara and is co-written by Jonze and David Eggers.
