'A Monster Calls' Review

Image from Reel Rundown

By Darian Scalamoni

            It’s been a little while for me in terms of reviews but I needed to get this review out. My first movie review of 2017 is for a film that I thoroughly enjoyed: A Monster Calls. The film follows a young English boy named Conor O’Malley who has his fair share of issues for a boy of his age. His mother (who he loves more than all) is sick with terminal cancer, his father lives in California, he’s constantly bullied at school and of course, there’s his grandmother who he cannot stand whatsoever. Throughout all of these issues, he also has a new problem: a giant tree that comes and visits him at 12:07 A.M. to tell him three tales before Conor must tell him a fourth tale that will reveal his truth.

            A Monster Calls is a terrific film. It’s one that has been compared to the dark fantasy style similar to Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth and for good reason, the movie effortlessly transitions between real life issues and a fairy tale and narrative focus for a troubled child and how a tree can help him get through his problems. It’s even more interesting to compare the two movies because del Toro has been good friends with the director of A Monster Calls, J.A. Bayona since the early 90s. Starting with the visuals, the movie is beautiful. The Monster in this story voiced by Liam Neeson, who is perfect in the role is rendered in an amazing fashion. The Monster looks impressive and truly terrifying when he wants to be. When The Monster is telling these stories it adds an extra layer to the movie where it shifts from live-action to animation through water colors. It’s a different way of filmmaking and gives a look at the original artwork that was done by Siobhan Dowd, who approved the movie being made before she passed away. Also, Patrick Ness, who also wrote the novel helped write the screenplay that is truly brilliant.

            One of the most impressive parts of the movie is that it seems like its delivered in such a way that its coming straight from Bayona’s heart. It’s very sensitive but also real, with a mother that has terminal cancer, every time this Monster returns Conor claims that “he doesn’t have time to hear stories”. And it’s true, he has many other issues at hand so unless The Monster is going to help him, he doesn’t care about all the destruction he causes and tales he tells. The movie works more for a mature audience because of some of the emotionally raw sequences later in the film but I hope this movie doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. The distinct artistry that Bayona crafts is too impressive to be ignored by audiences.

            In terms of the performances, everyone is at the top of their game. The star of the film, Lewis MacDougall has proven with just one performance that he is a force to be reckoned with. He’s absolutely incredible as Conor and plays so well off of the supporting troupe that includes Felicity Jones as his mother, Toby Kebbell as his father who currently lives in America with his new family and even Sigourney Weaver, who does her best but has a terrible British accent is good in her role though the accent is a bit distracting. Jones stands out as well and is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses since The Theory of Everything and Rogue One. She’s truly is scared because of her disease and is worried about dying because it means she’ll leave her son in a predicament in which he will struggle to deal with.

            The fantastical dark melodrama is already one of the best movies of the year and is impossible to forget. It makes me upset that the movie is being passed over and not being considered for any awards season pushes. It’s engrossing and is filled with grief but also, it has wondrous and symbolism that will stick with you for a long, long time.

9.7/10