BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA (2007) ***1/2 A movie-but not just another movie, demonstrating how it might be best if at some point parents enhance their perception of their children to involve something beyond projections of themselves. And also gentle hints to the kids that at some point there may be something to be gained by creating an identify separate from what the herd sees, and wants. Social insights abound, but in passing. None of this ever gets anywhere close to oppressive or didactic, it's more like friendly and powerful swats offered in passing. The efforts towards a Christianity that lets in more light are, obviously, my favorites. It's a highly, very very emotional film, so if that puts you off it's going to. I don't quite understand the marketing approach of it being a fantasy film--imagination is central but it's all very realistic. It's going to remind your kids of what happened today at school and it's going to remind adults about childhood events that have been, sometimes fortuitously, buried or swept to the corners. It's not a fantasy film and there's nothing resembling a cartoon in sight. I wonder if AnnaSophia Robb might have a future in the business: she reminds me a little bit of Jodie Foster all those years ago, she's able to communicate a lot, she's able to communicate that she understands the breadth and weight and severity of what's going on around her. She's able to communicate that.not that it's no problem, but that it's.not that it can be brushed aside but that she can handle it. They did a good job with her in wardrobe, but it's not the clothing communicating all that. Children who have already suffered tragedy should benefit from this, it may get children who have not thinking. That's always a double-edged sword and we all have calls to make so at some point it's best to see 'em.
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