By THOMAS BOND
A film by a first time director, starring first time actors, shot on a shoestring budget – and it will almost undoubtedly get an Oscar nod for Best Picture come next January. Beasts of the Southern Wild is not so much a plot-structured tale, nor is it necessarily about “beasts” as we’d think, but instead it is an intense look at a father and daughter, and their complex relationship as they struggle to survive in the south Louisiana community known as The Bathtub. As waters rise and their peaceful existence is threatened, little Hushpuppy must learn courage and strength enough for both her and her ailing father, Wink. While it may be over-hyped as a whole, the performances from the daughter and father characters couldn’t be hyped enough. Quvenzhane Wallis as the girl (only 5 years old at the time of filming) and Dwight Henry as her father are both so dynamite they threaten to blow up the screen with raw power and emotion. If ever it would be a crime to not give someone an Oscar nomination, it would be with these two first time actors. They’re “the man”. (See the film, you’ll get it).
Mr Bond, I concur that Wallis and Henry give performance that seemed real enough, to give the film a documentary like sense to the viewer. Wallis is the next Meryl Streep.It feels bizarre to say that about a 5 year old.She dominates the screen.The story is too eclectic for me to love. It is a unique film and probably requires too much thinking for most viewers.Thanks for creating this site. Bravo
I agree that the story is a little hard to get a full grip on, but that the performances are more than worth watching. Thanks for reading Daniel, always appreciative of your thoughtful insight!