Bridge to Terabithia
Last night we watched the movie Bridge to Terabithia as a family. We ate cookie dough and piled onto the couch to watch it. I knew the kids wanted to see it which was the main reason I rented it.
But, as I watched the movie I quickly began to realize this was NOT the movie that had been shown in the trailers. Far from it in fact which on one hand was a let down, but on the other was exciting because I completely connected with the movie. The use and power of imagination as an escape mechanism really hit home to me. Lots of memories from my childhood came flooding back. They did a masterful job of meshing reality and imagination together.
Warning to families that it does have a bit of a dark coming of age angle to it that caught us all of guard, but made for very good discussion.
I loved this movie. I hope one of the bonus features is an interview with the writer of the film because I’d love to know how this was on the page. That would take some great writing skills.
August 11th, 2007 at 7:46 am |
C.C.,
Interesting observation about watching a movie with your family and discussing it together. I just got finished reading my friend Ty Burr’s book “The Best Old Movies for Families: A Guide to Watching Together.” It’s a bit of movie-geek fodder and it’s only about older movies (so no “Bridge..”), but for every movie Ty recommends there are discussion points, age appropriateness, and why it’s interesting.
Anyway, your post made me think of that and that I need to watch more Un-Disney movies with my son– I may start with “La Belle and La Bete,” a French telling of “Beauty and the Beast” that Disney shamelessly– and thankfully– ripped off for their animated version.
August 11th, 2007 at 8:16 am |
Great movie, I’d heard about the ‘darkness’ that happens later on, but that was what made the movie even better than I was expecting because it didn’t take some easy wishy-washy route to the end.
August 11th, 2007 at 8:19 am |
hmmmm… this was one of my favorite books. I’m hoping that it was true to Katherine Paterson’s novel. I’ll have to check it out. I read it as an adult when I embarked upon reading all of the Newbery Medal (www.ala.org/alsc/newbery.html) winners. Although the award is for the best in children’s literature, there are some powerful stories in the collection that even adults will enjoy.
August 11th, 2007 at 8:45 am |
I knew this movie was filmed here in Auckland (and around New Zealand) and whilst the trip to the Auckland Museum made that clear, I found it amusing that it was the grass, trees, and flowers that made me sit up and go “hey - thats New Zealand!”.
Interesting how different countries have distinctive looking plant life.
August 11th, 2007 at 9:08 am |
Bridge is absolutely one of my favorite children’s novels. Truthfully, I like books that present alternate endings other than “happy”, whatever they may be. I hope the movie is just as good!
August 11th, 2007 at 9:13 am |
Glad to hear its a great flick, the book was amazing, and was my baby sisters favorite book as a child, so much so she shared it with her eldest daughter, who swears she will do the same with hers some day. Some books, like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Milo and the Phantom Toll Booth, and of course the OZ books, and Bridge to Terabitha, are meant to teach us lessons by exposing us to elements of darkness and getting us through them and back into the light. Sunday night will find June and I snuggled on the couch and watching it.
Thanks for the reminder, and good luck and wishes for the new home.
Drew
August 11th, 2007 at 10:44 am |
I’ve been meain to watch this one all summer! - Thanks for the reminder and positive view on it. Now I’m really looking forward to it..!
Cheers!
August 11th, 2007 at 8:45 pm |
I had NO idea it was a book!!! I’ve got to read it now!!!
August 12th, 2007 at 8:47 am |
That was my favorite book EVER. (I’m starting to think that the ending may have been a sense of foreshadowing - like my second favorite book, Judy Blume’s “Tiger Eyes”…)
You should definitely read it. It’s a beautifully crafted story. Normally, I don’t watch the movies (I don’t want to ruin the book experience - Harry Potter being the main exception.) but now I’m curious about the movie…Have to add it to Netflix.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:43 pm |
Bride was one of my fav books growing up. And I was really hesitant to watch the movie … because of the trailers. For me, the book was all about relationships and imagination. The movie *looked* like it was some crazy fantasy pic.
I have to say, I finally did see it and I was really thrilled to see that they stuck very close to the book. The screen writer is actually the son of the author of the book. So glad you discovered it, CC!!