Beasts of the Southern Wild

Hushpuppy, an intrepid six-year-old girl, lives with her father, Wink, 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. When Wink contracts a mysterious illness, nature flies out of whack, temperatures rise, and the ice caps melt, unleashing an army of prehistoric creatures called aurochs. With the waters rising, the aurochs coming, and Wink's health fading, Hushpuppy goes in search of her lost mother. 

There is a great deal of depth to get to grips with here. From the childish experience of the world that is so skillfully reproduced, to the oftentimes uneasy relationship between a father and his daughter. Beasts of the Southern Wild is equal parts raw, poetic and mysterious. 

The tough love dispensed by the girl's alcoholic father is in large part responsible for her attitude to life. A fight for survival for which she must be prepared and must not shy away from. This provides ample opportunity for nine-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis to show off her talent. This, her first film, has not gone unnoticed and she has a further two features on the way. She shows a great deal of sensitivity for one so young, seamlessly shifting between primal rage and playful childish innocence, with plenty to appreciate in between.

Though secondary to the character of Hushpuppy, Dwight Henry's Wink is compelling. A man on the brink of death, and sometimes sanity it seems, that is hellbent on ensuring that his daughter is equipped for facing the harsh realities of the world in which she will grow up. His treatment of her is rarely tender, but his love for her is never in doubt, difficult though it may be for him to express. 

The complexities of the film revolve around the young girl's struggles with coming to terms with adulthood and all it entails, whilst still viewing the world through the eyes of a child. Her absent mother constantly plays on her mind and, philosophical though she may be, she pines for her in times of need, despite the presence of her father. Wink's desire to toughen her up leads to several confrontations which result in some explosive exchanges between the two.

For me personally, it was unclear whether what appear to be dream sequences were intended to be taken as such. Regardless, these provide some interesting food for thought, as well as metaphor for the central themes of the film.

The Verdict:

9/10
Striking performances from both Wallis and Henry, coupled with raw and poetic storytelling make for a hugely enjoyable film. Highly recommended.