Skellig

Many stories created especially for children are intended only for light hearted entertainment. Others are created to provide some lesson that will assist the child in growing up adhering to properly condoned societal value. The danger here is becoming too heavy handed, too didactic in how the story comes across. Sure, you want the child to receive some sort of positive message but in order for that to occur they have to become and remain interested in the story. Adding to the degree of difficulty is making something that will also appeal to the grown-up. Stories shouldn’t be told to a child they should be shared, a bonding experience between parent and child. Achieving this ‘trifecta’ of life lesson, entertainment and pan generational appeal is rare but when it is achieved the results can be memorable. When a film is made from such a story it is not uncommon for the reception from the critical community may be less than stellar. Usually a major reason for this is attempting hold the movie to the more stringent criteria applicable to a film geared to a grown-up audience. One film that works exceptionally well is ‘Skellig’, subtitled, ‘The Owl Man’. I didn’t know what to make of it when the Blu-ray screener showed up but it had an interesting cast and I did recalling hearing positive comments about the source material so one Saturday morning I settled in to give it a watch. It didn’t take long before I found myself completely entranced by the film. The gentle story took me back to age when discovering a winged man is fully within the realm of possibility. I’ve seen comparisons with the Harry Potter franchise stating out right that ‘Skellig’ lacks the charm of those films. First of all I couldn’t disagree more. This is quite a charming movie but you cannot fairly hold it up against a franchise of six books. They brought to life a grand vision rich in detail and mythos. Skellig’s’ charm and fascination lies in a simpler, modest format of a standalone tale. Whereas Potter had drive film depends on an easier paced flow. You cannot compare a trip down a raging river to a summer afternoon’s drift down a steam but that is what too many are attempting to do. Both stories require a suspension of belief and acceptance of magic but other than that do not expect this film to reflect the format established for that boy wizard. Open you head to Harry but you will open your heart to Skellig’.

The original children’s novel by David Almond has garnered numerous awards and other forms of acclaim on its way to becoming the beloved best seller it undoubtedly is. Some of the situations may be too intense for the youngest members of the household but when shown to an age appropriate group the story is gripping and just realistic enough to allow the child to understand the protagonist and his motivations. This is the first real feature screenplay for Irena Brignull displaying an innate talent as a storyteller. She retains the feel of the book while adapting the story to a much more visually dependent media. The director, Annabel Jankel, has an unusual but obviously it worked to prepared her for this piece. Most of her credits were for directing the music series, ‘Live from Abby Road’ I have seen a number of her episodes and even in that type of production her still shines through. It is great to see her behind the camera working on an expression of imagination such as this. She is able to breathe life into this story and in conjunction with cinematographer Steve Lawes creates a beauty tapestry that is visually stunning. This visually compelling style is established from the very first shot that depicts thousands of birds flowing through the air in a precision that is awe inspiring. We then see a small boy, Michael (Bill Milner) stand at a precipice framed by two stone columns giving the impression of wings. I received the Blu-ray of this movie which. If possible is how you need to watch it. A spider weaving his web is transformed into an ethereal experience. There is so much in the way of texture provided by just the first few minutes of the film that you are pulled into a world of fantasy and imagination. You will be compelled to watch this many times just to sit in wonder at the visuals presented here.

Michael has to deal with several childhood stressors simultaneously. Aside from a fairly typical fear of heights his father (John Simm) has just relocated the family to a house in the country that is a touch beyond being called a fixer-upper. Adding to that his mother (Kelly Macdonald) is in the last trimester of pregnancy about to add to the family any moment. Place on top of this is the requisite sadistic gym teacher. One other thing while we’re on the topic. The new place is the assembly hall for every spider in the known universe as well as the other creepy crawlies to provide the eight legged creatures an ample food supply. Dad tells Michael that the shed out back is off limits and under no circumstances is he to go out there. there is just one thing that parents just never get; telling a boy never to go to some forbidden place is tantamount to an engraved invitation or more accurately, a moral imperative. When Michael does go out there he finds a disheveled man crumpled in the corner, Skellig (Tim Roth). The stranger is rude, crude and socially unacceptable to an excessive degree. When his mother suddenly goes into labor the true nature of Skellig begins to come out. First and foremost he has wings. They are not the dainty little things often depicted in fantasy but fully formed feathered wings. It also becomes apparent that this curmudgeon has the ability to heal the sick.

This film has a humanistic core that provides a scaffold for several classic themes. Fundamentally this is a coming of age story as Michael has to learn to get his footing in a world seemingly in a constant state of flux. Initially the story is straight forward with Michael’s phobia a foreshadowing of what will shortly transpire. Not only can Skellig actually fly but the familiar metaphor of flight equating to freedom is well played here. Michael is surrounded by change but after Skellig enters the picture the vista for the boy breaks wide open. Tim Roth is one of those actors who can slip into any role with ease and style. It doesn’t matter if he is playing a petty thief planning an ad hoc heist in a dinner or a cranky old man with wings Roth as a way to completely convince the audience into accepting his current persona. Bill Milner is endearing and relatable as Michael. He made a little film, ‘Son of Rambow’ one of the most heartwarming Indy flicks I have seen in a while. He is a young actor who should grow nicely into his talent. Fans of ‘Doctor Who’ will recognize John Simm as one of the most dangerous villains the Time Lord ever faced, ‘The Master’. This is a film that you will enjoy both on your own and with you family,

Posted 089/21/2010