File puptcrit/puptcrit.0910, message 209


Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:54:22 -0400
From: Steve Abrams <sapuppets-AT-gmail.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Where the Wild Things Are


I respectfully disagree with Bob and the print critics who have this opinion
of the voice work. I had read those criticisms before seeing the movie, so I
was curious about that issue.
I dont expect to change any one's opinion about this, ultimately it is a
very personal sort of reaction, and there is no right or wrong opinion.

The voices, particularly the best known ones, James Gandolfini and Lauren
Ambrose worked very well for me. I thought both performances had depth and
nuance. There is real inner tension in the Ambrose character.

I think I read that Sendak thought of his characters as representing various
overbearing or childlike aunts and uncles in his extended family

An underlying theme of some great literature and theatre has to do with the
disconnect between outward appearance, and inner character. A creature may
look like a monster or sound like a monster and not be a monster at all- The
theme of Beauty and the Beast, Or the reverse- In a  film like the "Talented
Mr Ripley" a handsome character who has the appearance of  a hero, is really
a monster.

We all carry around images of what a hero or monster, looks like or sounds
like,but our expectations are often incorrect.
Kids and grown ups need to be reminded of this. In fact we need to be
reminded that both qualities can exist within the same person. Tony Soprano
was a monster who could also be quite kind and caring.

It is a great challenge for an actor, director or writer to try to work
"against a type," to create a character at odds with the stereotype
expectations  of appearance or voice. It is hard and risky work. It is easy
to fall off the tight rope into the waiting jaws of the critics and audience

I dont think that a monster needs to have the voice of a monster, Grover on
Sesame Street certainly does not
Steve


On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 8:27 AM, <BNathanson-AT-aol.com> wrote:

> Hobey, once again great minds think alike.   Elise and I saw the film last
> week.   The biggest disappointment (& there were several) was hearing such
> normal voices coming from such amazing creatures.   The one that bothered
> us
> the most was James Gandolfini as Carol.   It was Where the Wild Things Meet
> The Sopranos.   I kept thinking I was going to see a scene where Tony, I
> mean Carol, visits with his psychiatrist, Dr. Melfi, who would have
> Lorraine
> Bracco's body, but this amazing creature head.
>     Bob N
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
>
_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
Archives: http://www.driftline.org

   

Driftline Main Page

 

Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005