Movie Breakdown: A Monster Calls

Pre-Screening Stance:

The trailer for A Monster Calls is all kinds of sad, so I’m guessing that the actual movie is really going to be a bummer.  Guess I better pack some tissues.  And a bit of whiskey.  And maybe a therapist.

Post-Screening Ramble:

Being a kid can be really hard, and A Monster Calls is one of those films (kind of like Where The Wild Things Are) that aims to remind you of this.  The movie is centered around Conor O’Mally (Lewis MacDougall), a solid little fella who likes to draw and watch old films with his mom (Felicity Jones).  Unfortunately though, his mom is very sick, and because of this his life is on the verge of a major shakeup.  In an effort to help Conor process his feelings (and acknowledge the fact that vast changes that are about to tumble onto him), an ancient being (voiced by Liam Neeson) comes to him with an offer – he’ll tell the boy three stories as long as he receives one in return when he’s done.  Conor agrees and what follows is a heavy emotional journey that … well, reminds you that being a kid is hard.  I found the film to be touching.  It’s certainly far from being an easy watch, and I probably wouldn’t really recommend taking your kids to see it, but if you want something that’s well made and dedicated to delivering an important message/reminder, then you should definitely catch A Monster Calls at the theater.

One Last Thought:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there are very few people on this planet who have a voice that resonates like Liam Neeson’s.  You could sit me down anywhere and make me listen to that man read anything and I’m fairly certain I’d be happy the whole damn time.  On a related note, it’s weird that he doesn’t narrate more stuff.