I'm mixed on this one. The actors are very charming, and it works very well on that level. The three leads are all solid and have great chemistry.
I find it very hard to watch this movie a second time. The cast and setting are far more charming than Jacob's Ladder, but when you've had a personal loss, you may not fancy the presentation of the films.
With the strength of the three leads' acting, I kind of wish they were in a happier plot together. I do think the three of them can carry a complex emotional movie.
I'm skeptical how well this even works for kids. It seems like it would be bizarre but scary for really young kids, and dark and frightening for older kids.
And be aware, the background here is the boy has been a mute since his father died, his grandmother has just died (we see the funeral), and in the course of the movie, the grandfather (who is senile in real life) is healthy in this limbo/purgatory and they get to share a brief adventure then HE dies. The grandfather dying is what I can't handle knowing it's coming. It's just so heavy.
Update: I tried to watch this again because it has themes relevant to another movie I was reviewing.
As likable as the cast is, I simply could not watch this again without muting it, and it was STILL a struggle.
Whatever the intent of the creator or the charm arm of the players, this is effectively a feature length nightmare.
I find it very hard to watch this movie a second time. The cast and setting are far more charming than Jacob's Ladder, but when you've had a personal loss, you may not fancy the presentation of the films.
With the strength of the three leads' acting, I kind of wish they were in a happier plot together. I do think the three of them can carry a complex emotional movie.
I'm skeptical how well this even works for kids. It seems like it would be bizarre but scary for really young kids, and dark and frightening for older kids.
And be aware, the background here is the boy has been a mute since his father died, his grandmother has just died (we see the funeral), and in the course of the movie, the grandfather (who is senile in real life) is healthy in this limbo/purgatory and they get to share a brief adventure then HE dies. The grandfather dying is what I can't handle knowing it's coming. It's just so heavy.
Update: I tried to watch this again because it has themes relevant to another movie I was reviewing.
As likable as the cast is, I simply could not watch this again without muting it, and it was STILL a struggle.
Whatever the intent of the creator or the charm arm of the players, this is effectively a feature length nightmare.