A kid had to face the world in his own animated version and conquer life's biggest monster. ANI (The Harvest) It's as if a child's imagination is a safe haven, a place where the world is a playground for all the possibilities the mind could think of. And even the tight and humble space called home, situated on a busy Metro could not hinder the inquisitive headspace of a young Mithi (played by Zyren Dela Cruz), a boy who accomplishes the day by playing with his colorful toy robots that perform a vital role in his imaginary narrative. With a loving father and a mother that sings him a self-assuring lullaby, Mithi is blissfully unaware of the harsh reality. But life decided to toy with his fate, and Mithi's perfect little world is now showing its cracks, putting his vulnerability to the test and slowly depriving him of his happiness he thought would last forever. And through his eyes, the world suddenly transforms itself into a menacing monster. Set in a lush ...
"Wolf Children" Review - A Wild Look at Parenthood
A girl fell in love with a Wolf Man and bore two children from him. After her husband's passing, she moved to the countryside, raised her children alone and learned the harsh demands of parenting.
The movie starts off with a girl named Hana, a college student who was smitten by a mysterious dark-haired guy from her class. The two formed a romantic bond and on that one calm night, the guy revealed himself as a Wolf Man. Their love grew and they decided to live as a couple, bearing two adorable children, Yuki and Ame, both possessing their father's feral genes. After her husband's ill-fated demise, Hana took refuge to the countryside, isolating herself and her kids from the brutal judgement of mankind. She managed to find an old house and raised her children there.
Life has been tough for Hana as she tries to perform the role of a father and a mother to her half-breed children. She had to sweep the dirty floors, fix the crumbling roof, establish her own farmland and fend for the kids all at the same time. All her adversities though was awarded by the cheerful presence of her children, Yuki, the elder of the two, a free-spirited, blissfully unaware young girl, and Ame, the timid, faintly aloof young boy. Both children grew fast and now Hana has to face and accept an important turning point of parenthood.
The Good
Director and writer Mamoru Hosoda, who also directed the 2006 animation, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and also worked for Studio Ghibli in the past, outdid himself with this melancholic slice-of-life animation. From the beautifully drawn lush environments to the vivaciously appealing characters, the film is filled with personality and charisma.
The story is both compelling and vehemently familial. The film took a very nuanced, slow-burn pacing, allowing me to have a better understanding of the characters' inner thoughts and motivations, as if I'm growing with them as I watch. The musical score from Masakatsu Takagi is breathtaking, like a heavenly lullaby, poking through my soul and sending me to an emotional excursion.
The Bad
Ame grew up to be a defiant, unapologetic brother and this will probably make him begrudgingly relatable to some and so I thought a few more scenes with him would've been good to make his intentions resonating.
Should You Watch It?
Wolf Children is a passionately emotional movie about unconditional love, a story for kids and parents alike, a familial drama which is profound and relatable — a transcendence of parenthood. I absolutely suggest that you watch the film.
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