Beasts of the Southern Wild

Hushpuppy, Wink, and The Bathtub

Disconnected from modern civilization, the Bathtub is an impoverished, small-knit community of citizens that live on the other side of the New Orleans levee. They're in constant danger of flooding, and they know that big storm is on the horizon. Among this community lives Hushpuppy (Quvenzhane Wallis), a six-year old girl who is one of the strongest, bravest little girls - ahem, children - ever portrayed in a film. I amend to "children" because it hardly seems as though Hushpuppy recognizes a difference between men and women, or hardly sees herself as any sort of traditional girl. She lives in the Bathtub with her father, Wink (Dwight Henry), who teaches her how to be strong and survive. He never wants to leave the Bathtub, and neither does she. Wink isn't afraid to issue a slap to Hushpuppy if she needs it, though. He's a tough, but ultimately very loving father.

The film is narrated by and the story seen through the eyes of Hushpuppy, with an Oscar-worthy performance from Wallis, who creates an authenticity and believability that few, if any, other children would have been capable of. It is quite remarkable, and she earns her place among the great child performances of all time. Wallis was five when the film was cast (despite the production seeking actresses ages six to nine), seven when it was completed, but she shows an understanding of drama and humanism that few adult actors possess.

Hushpuppy is far from worldly, though. There's a great bit of naïveté to her character, as is true of all children her age. She thinks that animals sometimes speak to her in code. When she accidentally sets a fire to her house, she believes that hiding under a cardboard box will keep her safe. After all, if the flames can't see her, how can she be hurt by them? Out of sight, out of mind, is a typical child characteristic. But this is Hushpuppy's journey; learning the realities of the world, and learning that everything is part of one big whole, and we are just pieces. We don't live forever, and neither will her father.

When Hushpuppy does visit a modern facility, leagues different than the makeshift cabins and shacks of the Bathtub, she describes it as a "fish-tank without the water." Hushpuppy's mother is no longer in the picture, though Hushpuppy sometimes calls out to her, and speaks of her frequently. Wink tells her glamorous stories of her mother; stories obviously so outrageous that we don't believe them as reality, but suspect that Hushpuppy does. At the very least, she indulges in the fantasy, which is another part of her journey; understanding the cavernous difference between reality and fantasy, which comes to a heart-breaking and touching climactic scene in which both collide, and she makes one big step toward growing up.

Rarely has a character in a film trotted the line between childhood naïveté and adulthood wisdom with such complexity, believability, and originality. This is a testament to both the writing on behalf of Lucy Alibar and co-writer/director Benh Zeitlin as well as the acting of Wallis. I have a hard time believing many other actors could have played the role of Hushpuppy to such excellence and depth as Wallis does here. The casting team was impressed with Wallis's readability skills and her embodiment of a fearless young girl. When asked "If you had caused the end of the world, what would you do?" Wallis replied, "I would try to fix it. I would go to bed on time and brush my teeth." That's about right.

Not only was this Wallis's first acting role, it was also the first time acting for Dwight Henry, who plays Wink, Hushpuppy's father. Before being cast, Henry owned a bakery across the street from the casting agency where Court 13 studios were located in New Orleans. Henry claims he never had much interest in acting, and only read for the part as a favor for a friend, but was later called back. The filmmakers had considered bringing in a professional actor for the part, but eventually were determined to have Henry for the part. Henry, who had been through Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Betsy as a child. I have no doubt his life experience is what led to such a believable, flawless performance. Not for a second was I unconvinced I was watching a real citizen of the Bathtub.

The cinematography is gorgeous. The direction outstanding. Beasts of the Southern Wild reminds me of a Ramin Bahrani film fused with Winter's Bone. The stark realism; the often handheld camera; the minutiae of details; and the low-key, powerfully emotional story. Bahrani made an excellent film that centered around a strong child living in impoverished conditions in his masterpiece Chop Shop. I couldn't help but be reminded of that film while watching Beasts. 

This is a remarkable film, a film that defies explanation at times. Its blend of a hyper-realistic lifestyle with fantasy can be viewed and analyzed in so many different ways. What I think it's trying to say is that fantasy and reality aren't always so different, even through the eyes of an adult, and there's much we can learn from stories, fables, and fantasies, but sometimes we have to stand-up and recognize the difference to grow up.

For a film seen entirely through the eyes of a child, there is a lot of maturity at work here. Wink teaches his daughter to care for herself, because he won't always be around. His stories become a mechanism of  growth for Hushpuppy. She lives a life that most people couldn't possibly bear, but she does it with insane courage and without an ounce of regret or disdain. Zeitlin is wise to filter the entire point-of-view of the film through Hushpuppy. It allows us to understand her, and watch her grow. When Wink receives bad news at one point, we hear only what Hushpuppy can hear, no more. We see only what she can see. Wallis carries this film, and hopefully her stunning performance will go on to earn her an Academy Award nomination.

This is one of the best films of the year. Striking, realistic, touching, and effective, with one of the best child performances of all time. The writing, directing, and cinematography are top-notch. If there is any justice, this film will receive nominations for Best Actress, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay. If there is any justice.

****/****