Beasts of the Southern Wild

Beasts of the Southern Wild is an undeniably beautiful film about a 6 year old named Hushpuppy in a place beyond the levees called The Bathtub. I fell in love with this film immediately. The pre-credit opening scenes are absolutely riveting, a celebration of childhood, innocence and freedom. The sequence of a Southern Bayou party with banjos and fireworks and laughing and dancing is so alive and has so much spirit that you can't help but smile. So, Beasts of the Southern Wild had me from the start.

The story is pretty basic. Hushpuppy, an adorable 6 year old played by Quvenzhane Wallis, lives with her father (Dwight Henry) in The Bathtub. It is outside of the New Orleans levee system and so everytime a storm comes, they get the absolute worst of it. They live in trailers situated basically in the trees and have a whole farm of chickens and dogs and cats and goats. They zoom around the river in a makeshift boat and revel in their freedom. Hushpuppy's dad is trying his best to prepare Hushpuppy for a time when he won't be around. He wants her to be able to take care of herself. He teaches her to fish and cook and to be a beast.

Most of the people living in the Bathtub leave when the coming storm arrives (we are to assume it's Hurricane Katrina, although it's never mentioned by name). However, Hushpuppy and her dad ride out the storm with a small group of others. Their land is devastated afterwards but they rebuild and thrive. Eventually, the story gets off track when they are forced to evacuate and taken into the city where it's difficult for them to assimilate with city dwellers. The story is much more alive when it is in the Bathtub. It's almost like another character of the film. The movie loses a little bit of its magic for the brief time it moves into the city, but it quickly regains it's footing.

The subject matter of the film is absolutely bleak. (Did I mention Hushpuppy's mom is long gone and her dad has a heart condition that is threatening to take his life??). However, this movie is so moving and so beautiful, so well made that it makes up for the depressing subject matter. Wallis is a tiny little star. I know much is being made about the fact that she's just a kid and not a real actress. Director Benh Zeitlin probably fed her all of her lines and is mostly responsible for her performance. That is a fine argument. However, you can't fake charisma and this little, adorable girl carries this film in a way very, very few people can. You immediately care about her and get invested in her feisty spirit. She may be repeating lines and just doing what she is told, but she radiates on that screen, and there's definitely something to be said for that.

I could have done without the actual beasts. I get the symbolism, believe me, but I didn't feel the need to be beaten over the head with it. But overall, this is a vivid depiction of a certain type of lifestyle anchored by two truly fantastic performances.

Grade: B+