Review – Where the Wild Things Are (2009) directed by Spike Jonze.

Watched on October 14th, 2023
Rating: 5/5 Stars

I was read this book as a kid by my mom and dad. It was one of my favorites, partially because I had fun thinking it was about me, wild little Max. I loved this book. A week or two ago I saw this book outside someone’s house on my street; it was by the curb like they wanted to throw it out, and it was severed wet and rain-damaged, which made me sad. Before that, I hadn’t thought about this story in a long time. But tonight, I felt the urge to, relive some inner childhood spirit and overall because of an urge to reinvigorate some nostalgia after having an overly sentimental day. Yeah, maybe it’s because his name is Max and therefore I selfishly feel like this is my book, my movie, and my story, but this was an overwhelmingly emotional experience, something I haven’t had with a movie in a long time. Like, immediately watery eyes after 10-15 minutes, a lump in my throat with tears escaping my eyes during the ending, and full on ugly crying during the credits.

I have so many feelings and emotions running through my body right now. I don’t have the right words or mindset to fully break that down, and would rather sit with it than force myself to right now. All I know is that there are an infinite amount of things about this movie that mean the world to me, and also is me. I can’t quite explain it, but I felt so many waves of emotions and feelings, both reminding me of ones in the past and current ones as well. I don’t know if I’ve connected with a movie quite like this before.

I miss being a kid, more lately than ever. In my last year at college, the inevitability of adulthood is approaching fast, and sometimes I wish I could just go back to be that wild, ferocious, and imaginative little kid. I’m happy with where things are and am excited and ready for my future, but sometimes I just feel this inner-ache missing being that little kid, missing being that middle-schooler, that growing high-schooler, even the budding college freshman. There’s nothing I can do to go back, but I can look back with fondness and joy, and go forward with guidance and gratefulness. When we grow up, we sometimes forget how amazing and freeing it felt to be wild as a kid. It’s movies like this that help you remember the best parts about that time in your life, and how to look at those around you and welcome that spirit back.

New favorite movie.

And I was already crying, but I broke down even further seeing that the actor who played Max was also named Max. It’s small thing like that which makes the world’s difference with this movie.

Check out the original review posted on Letterboxd here.