When you are in school you may not understand why you have to read some of the books your teacher chooses for your class to read. In elementary school especially, many of the books are not only entertaining and filled with adventure, but they are also the winner of literary awards the author has received for excellence in writing and storytelling.
Many of these books also teach lessons that may not be taught otherwise. How do you explain to children controversial topics? It is often through literature and natural curiosity that children learn the best. This is why reading is so important to the development of children. Without books, they do not have the chance to dream, imagine, or learn about life and the way the world works around them.
One of the books I remember reading in fifth grade is also one of the most important books I can recall reading in my youth, Bridge to Terabithia. I could relate to their characters and often used books as they used their imaginations to transport myself to a new and exciting place, where nobody could ever put me down. In this world, I was the ruler of my empire. I was able to get lost in the books I read though there was always a special place in my heart for Terabithia. When I could, I would return to the world in this book the most.
When I heard that Bridge to Terabithia was being made into a movie I was hesitant. For one, I am 26 years old. It has been 15 years since I last visited Terabithia. Secondly, I have seen book adaptations fail one too many times. I hoped that Bridge to Terabithia would stay true to the themes and symbolism the book held yet still maintain that whimsical nature that kept me reading the book over and over again as an eleven year old child.
Luckily, the film did not disappoint. While I was a bit put off by the trailer, as many were, considering the “Narnia-esque” nature, I remained firm in my thought that I would see this film. As the parent of a now 12 year old, I knew that it would soon be time for him to experience the magic of Terabithia, as well, and what better way to do so then by introducing him to both the movie and the book?
The screenplay for Bridge to Terabithia was written by the original author of the book, Katherine Paterson’s son, David. Katharine had written the book as a response to a very serious and life changing event in David’s life. Therefore, it seems perfect that he would be the one to bring Terabithia to the big screen.
David did an excellent job of keeping both the adventure that kids love about Terabithia and the underlying themes and story lines flowing as smoothly as in the book. For the most part, the screenplay followed the book, though it did take a few liberties with updating the book to the 21st century (it was originally written and set in the 1970s) and consolidating some of the things that could not be included due to the length of the film.
David Paterson wrote the film together with Jeff Stockwell (writer of The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys). It was directed by Gabor Csupo, who is best known for his work as a writer and producer for the many Wild Thornberrys and Rugrats Movies and shows. Csupo did an amazing job directing the actors he worked with as none of them over acted and the integration of special effects was both believable and entertaining.
The plot of the movie centers on a young boy named Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson). Jesse, the only boy in his family, with four sisters (the older Brenda (Devon Wood) and Ellie (Emma Fenton) and the younger May Belle (Bailee Madison) and Joyce Ann) must take on a considerable amount of responsibility. Not only that, he must wear hand me downs from his sisters and help his father with the farming as well as his obligations for school.
When the movie begins, it is the first day of school for Jesse and he has decided he is going to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. The kids pick on him a lot for his sensitive nature (he does not like to pick fights) and his poor background, so Jesse sees this as a way to become popular. Of course, he also loves running. The only thing he likes more than running is drawing, which he is extremely good at.
That day a new student arrives, Leslie Burke, who is in Jesse’s class. Leslie looks different, and is an extremely free spirit making her an instant target for teasing. At recess, when it is the moment of the big race, Leslie jumps in at the last second. Though Jesse beats all the boys, Leslie ends up beating everyone, not making a very good impression with Jesse or May Belle who was rooting for Jesse.
After getting off the bus, Leslie follows Jesse and May Belle. They discover that Leslie has moved in next door to Jesse’s family. From there, their friendship begins to bloom. Leslie is different. She has an imagination, and she is the first one to accept Jesse for who he is. In school he faces societal pressures and in his home, his dad expects him to be one of the men of the house. While Jesse Aarons Sr. dotes on May Belle, he is constantly harping on Jesse to do his homework, his chores, and jokes about his “drawing” talent.
Together, Leslie and Jesse explore the forest near their land. Leslie christens the land “Terabithia” and makes them the King and Queen of this enchanted land. Back in reality, Jesse’s only other positive force in his life is the music teacher Ms. Edwards (Zooey Deschanel), who believes Jesse has a talent for art and convinces him not to let the other boys or anyone hold him back from his talent. Jesse, in turn, has a very obvious crush on Ms. Edwards.
At home, Jesse is constantly at odds with his family. None of them understand him or even want to know him. With Leslie, he can escape the problems of the real world. These problems not only include his family, but also the 8th grade bully at school, Janice Avery, who is so mean she makes the younger kids pay her a dollar to go to the bathroom, and the boys in his class who constantly push, shove, and taunt him.
As Jesse is finally coming to a peaceful place, where he is realizing he can be happy and himself with Leslie, tragedy strikes and Jesse must adapt to not only the unexpected pains that life throws at us, but how to maintain the innocence of his childhood that Leslie helped him to possess through their adventures in Terabithia.
The film adaptation was poignant and touching enough to make Ashtyn cry. That is not an easy feat. Bridge to Terabithia, which is being released on 6/19/2007, is the perfect Disney movie. There is a lesson to be learned, a touching story and a resolution that is both acceptable and realistic. Perhaps I like both the book and the movie because I see so much of my eleven year old self in Jesse, and could relate to everything he was going through. Yet, I still can, even today.
The acting was the best I have seen for a young, coming of age cast. Josh Hutchinson is likeable and easy to relate to as Jesse. AnnaSophia Robb played Leslie, a likeable and unique girl perfectly. There was no overacting or underachieving on her part. Even young Bailee Madison shone as the adorable yet annoying little sister, six year old May Belle Aarons.
The DVD for Bridge to Terabithia not only contains the movie, it also offers multiple bonus features. Included on the DVD is Behind the Book: The Themes of Bridge to Terabithia, which introduces you to both Katherine and David Paterson. Katherine was quite pleased with the film adaptation of her book, believing it ultimately retained the themes so important to her masterpiece. Other bonus features include Digital Imagination: Bringing Terabithia to Life, a behind the scenes look at the making of the film, “Keep Your Mind Wide Open” Music Video Performed by AnnaSophia Robb, and Audio Commentary with Gabor Csupo, Jeff Stockwell, Hal Lieberman, Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb and Lauren Levine.
Bottom Line: No matter what age you are, children and adults who “keep their minds wide open” will love Bridge to Terabithia. While younger children may not comprehend the important messages of the story, they will be entertained by the mythical nature of Terabithia. However, this is one film all children over the age of nine should watch with the parents and discuss when it is over. As timeless as the book Katherine Paterson had enchanted generations of us with, her son David and writing partner Jeffl Stockwell do an equally superb job of making Bridge to Terabithia the movie one of the classic Disney movies that can be watched now and by future generations to come.
Technorati Tags: Bridge to Terabithia, DVD Review, Katherine Paterson, Disney Movie, David Paterson, Leslie Burke
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