Beasts Of The Southern Wild (2012)

You know when you see something and you thought, dear God, that's the most beautiful and amazing there I've probably ever seen? Well, yesterday, I had that reaction to the utterly wonderful film, Beasts Of The Southern Wild. I very rarely watch new films because mainly they suck, commercialised works of rubbish (although, in saying that, I did watch Sliding Doors directly after this and liked that as well), but I decided to watch this one because of the beautiful cover (oh, that made me sound really shallow, but hey it's pretty). And I am so, so glad I did. It's a small miracle, beautiful, heartbreaking and a little lifechanging. It's about the things that shape us and how we cope with them, all through the eyes of one of the most unique and lovable protagonists ever seen. Hushpuppy is such a brillaint creation, so full of love and wonder, but she's also a character who changes the lives of those around her. Her father is strict but loving and he does everything to protect his daughter. As the film continues, their relationship becomes central, and then heartbreaking. However, what makes this film so very, very unique and wonderful is the overriding sense of hope and optimism that is embedded within it. It's not a depressing film, quite the opposite, it makes you feel so utterly, utterly joyous, like the entire Universe has come into sharp focus. It also has a brillaint soundtrack ('Once There Was A Hushpuppy' is a great piece of music that can't help but bring a smile to my face) and some giant pigs. What's not to love? Joyous.

VERDICT: 10/10

When it all goes quiet behind my eyes, I see everything that made me flying around in invisible pieces. When I look too hard it goes away. And when it all goes quiet, I see they are right here. I see that I'm a little piece of a big, big universe and that makes things right. When I die, the scientists of the future, they're gonna find it all. They're gonna know, once there was a Hushpuppy and she lived with her daddy in the bathtub. 
- Hushpuppy, Beasts of The Southern Wild