Yes, I’m contributing to Wild Things hype! Whether or not the movie sucks or is overmarketed or whatever you want to argue about it, some great stuff in this Newsweek interview with Spike Jonze, Dave Eggers, and Maurice Sendak, largely getting at what I like about the concept of the movie to begin with (a film about childhood rather than a film for children), and what I like about the book itself. (See also: what I like about Roald Dahl.)
Spike Jonze: …they thought I was making a children’s film and I thought I was making a film about childhood.
What do you say to parents who think the Wild Things film may be too scary?
Sendak: I would tell them to go to hell. That’s a question I will not tolerate.
Because kids can handle it?
Sendak: If they can’t handle it, go home. Or wet your pants. Do whatever you like. But it’s not a question that can be answered.
Jonze: Dave, you want to field that one?
Eggers: The part about kids wetting their pants? Should kids wear diapers when they go to the movies? I think adults should wear diapers going to it, too. I think everyone should be prepared for any eventuality.
Sendak: I think you’re right. This concentration on kids being scared, as though we as adults can’t be scared. Of course we’re scared. I’m scared of watching a TV show about vampires. I can’t fall asleep. It never stops. We’re grown-ups; we know better, but we’re afraid.
