Beasts of the Southern Wild - Review

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

Directed by Benh Zeitlin

Produced by Josh Penn, Dan Janvey & Michael Gottwald

Written by Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin

Cinematography by Ben Richardson

Released: June 27, 2012 (USA)




Starring
Quvenzhané Wallis
Dwight Henry

Synopsis: Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis), an intrepid six-year-old girl, lives with her father, Wink (Dwight Henry), in "the Bathtub", a southern Delta community at the edge of the world. Wink's tough love prepares her for the unraveling of the universe; for a time when he's no longer there to protect her.

REVIEW
Every once in a while there comes a movie that bristles with such authenticity even though it’s a narrative and even described as a “fantasy drama”, ‘Beasts’ is such a film. Even if you have never been to the “southern Delta” you sense you know what it FEELS like to live there.

The director Benh Zeitlin with the aid of cinematographer Ben Richardson imbues ‘Beasts’ with measured attention to what it’s like to live in such a southern community. You can feel the heat, the stickiness, the grit of the south just by watching Hushpuppy and her father Wink go about their lives in this terrain. And that is the real treasure of Beasts of the Southern Wild, Wink and Hushpuppy.

Wink and Hushpuppy

The father/daughter relationship Wink & Hushpuppy share was just preternatural.

Dwight Henry

Dwight Henry (pictured above) was simply amazing as Wink. His performance gave Wink a genuine enduringness and fortitude. You’d think that this man could survive anything and wants his daughter to do the same.

That brings me to the young lady that everyone is talking about the outstanding Quvenzhané Wallis (pictured below)

Quvenzhané Wallis

I’ve seen some great youth performances, but none as young and outstanding as Miss Wallis’. She is the Lead actor, narrator and grounding center of the whole film…at six years old!

Wikipedia states “The film has received largely enthusiastic critical reception.” and I too must now join the chorus.

Even though I’ve seen several excellent films this year, Beasts of the Southern Wild was simply the BEST one I’ve seen all year. I’m not going to say anymore about this film because you should just see it. Truly extraordinary.

Additional Info
Read more about Beasts of the Southern Wild on Wikipedia here