The Wild Child
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Movie Reviews of The Wild Child
Movie Review: Wild child - subdued movie.
Summary: 4 Stars
The Wild Child has such a mild and subdued tone overall that at times it seems to muffle even the chaotic screeches and chimp-like antics of the wild boy, Victor. Vivaldi's airy refined baroque harmonies imbue the story with the quaint elegance of an old-fashioned miniature painting. Even though the movie was filmed in black and white, the pastoral scenes suggest a world of vibrant color, but a very domesticated one. Truffaut's portrayal of Dr. Itard, the boy's teacher is a paragon of cultured respectability and good intentions. So is that of Madame Guerin, the doctor's housekeeper, who becomes Victor's surrogate mother. This wild child who was found naked in a forest, abandoned at an early age, could neither speak nor focus his attention any more than an animal. Against this wildness was brought to bear the genteel but insistent demand of Dr. Itard that Victor learn to function according to the civilized standards of France,circa 1799. Needless to say, this engendered a conflict between the good doctor and his young charge. But even this rebellion amongst broken dishes and bitten hands still seems somewhat restrained from the out-and-out total war that you might expect from such a confrontation. And there is no indication given of how the doctor and his housekeeper managed with getting Victor housebroken. The point I'm trying to make is that this seems to be a somewhat idealized account of a true story that would probably have been a little messier in reality. But when Truffaut decided to make this movie, he was no doubt impelled by a motive other than just creating a factual documentary. Its a good exploration of what makes us human. This story makes it clear that the determining factor is our early and continuous association with others of our kind. Humanity is not instinctual but must be passed on through the generations by instruction and example. And although civilization is not perfect(shown by the persecution of Victor by other more normal children)if we are isolated from it, we cannot rise above the level of animals. Still, Victor retains a wistful longing for the open wild, and one of the more memorable ,less subdued scenes is of Victor swaying hypnotically on the doctor's lawn and seemingly worshiping the moon. So, civilization comes at the cost of forfeiting some of the wild, spontaneous joy of an untamed existence. The Wild Child, though it seems a trifle remote because of its refined style, is a very well-intentioned film and is refreshingly free of the crassness and vulgarity that seem to be obligatory in today's Hollywood fare.Movie Review: Excellent film
Summary: 4 Stars
The Wild Child is a film that resurfaces the true story of a young boy who is found living wild along the French countryside. The boy is like an animal in the sense he is untamed, self reliant, has a fear of humans, bares no clothing, and is accustomed to the elements of nature. The film begins with the capturing the eleven year old boy and his subsequent introduction to the civilized world. The child's fascinating story makes newspaper headlines in 1798 and among the many Parisians whose interest is sparked is that of a doctor played by Truffaut himself. Interested in studying the boy and discovering his potential, the doctor takes the young ruffian into his own home and begins a methodical series of learning experiments.
Truffaut uses this remarkable story and creates a wonderful film set in the late eighteenth century. He also avoids the all too common trap of over dramatizing a film set in this era and simply concentrates on the subject matter at hand - the discovery of a wild youth and his introduction into civilized world. The film is beautifully shot and Truffaut's simplistic narrative keeps the viewer's attention at all times. Although one of Truffaut's most unique films, The Wild Child is not quite a masterpiece, but has much merit and is definitely worth viewing.