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The BFG -- a review


The BFG was never on my radar because it was a children’s film, and I usually avoid seeing them whenever I can. While there are some great children’s movies out there for all ages--The Wizard of Oz immediately comes to mind, as well as the Harry Potter films--I thought that for the most part children’s films can be pretty lackluster and tedious for adults. The fact that Steven Spielberg directed The BFG wasn’t even a selling point for me. Spielberg may be one of the greatest film directors of his--or any--generation, but he does have a tendency to get very sappy and schmaltzy when helming movies aimed at the wee ones.


So how did I finally wind up watching The BFG? It was on Netflix. There I was, looking for something to watch on a Saturday night, and there was The BFG, one of the latest arrivals to Netflix’s schedule. I put it on, and unexpectedly found myself enchanted by a seemingly simple story (but filled with greater resonance) about a girl and her giant. Ruby Barnhill is very good as Sophie, a young London girl who lives in an orphanage who inadvertently comes across a giant (played in a CG-ed performance by Mark Rylance) that’s roaming the streets late at night.



The giant wanders the streets using ingenious methods to hide himself from the population, so when it becomes clear that Sophie has seen him, he decides to abduct her from the orphanage. It’s scary at first, with Sophie frightened that she will become his lunch. But the giant turns out to be a gentle soul who literally collects dreams and keeps their essence--as glowing, fairy-like orbs--in carefully marked glass jars. But Sophie quickly realizes that this Big, Friendly Giant (BFG) of hers isn’t the only giant around, and the other giants are even bigger and very mean and nasty.


Based on the book by Roald Dahl (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory), with a screenplay by the late Melissa Mathison (the writer of Spielberg’s earlier hit, ET, who passed away during production; The BFG is dedicated to her), The BFG is a perfect blend of childhood whimsy and splendid eye candy that will wow all of the members in your family. Sadly, this movie was a bomb at the box office, but hopefully, thanks to home video and venues like Netflix, The BFG will find the family audience it deserves. And I promise not to hold any prejudiced notions about children’s films from now on. --SF


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