Directed by Benh Zeitlin
Starring Quvenzhané Wallis and Dwight Henry
Released June 27, 2012
Watched February 7, 2013
timmmc.com score: 4/5 stars
Contenders: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Wallis)
Contenders: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Wallis)
Beasts of the Southern Wild… what a curious movie! Was unsure for at least 95%, but completely enchanted by the end. #timmmcreviewsWhat a curious, curious film.
— Timm McIntosh (@timmmc) February 8, 2013
The film runs a crisp 93 minutes long. The opening of the film, in which young Hushpuppy (played by the truly spectacular Quvenzhané Wallis) introduces her world of "The Bathtub" (it's not what it sounds) is absolutely spellbinding in every way. I'd say that runs around 5 minutes. As the film went on, however, I found my mind wandering, checking the clock, wondering what the point was of the film, why such random things were happening on the screen. Then came the last 5 minutes of the film. Without spoiling anything, I found myself in tears, absolutely captivated by the way everything came together and formed something so wonderful. Now, I sit here in awe of how indifferent I was to the film as I watched, but how much I really enjoyed it looking back.
Curious indeed!
I don't think I can say enough about Quvenzhané Wallis's performance. And to look at her Wikipedia page and to learn that this was her first acting gig, and she's only 9 years old (6 when the film was made)? Unreal. I know who my sentimental favorite is on Oscar Sunday!
