The Willoughbys is an animated film by Kris Pearn, adapted from a book of the same name by Lois Lowry. While the voices, performed by Will Forte, Martin Short, Alessia Cara, Jane Krakowski, Maya Rudolph, Ricky Gervais, and Terry Crews. Can this animated film distributed by Netflix compete with other large animation studios? It feels heavy, but The Willoughbys offers something fresh, even though the story and style are too absurd. Even the narrator is delivered by a cat.
The unique and honourable tradition of the Willoughbys family, hereditary increasingly faded and far from warm a family. One perfect example is the father and mother of Tim, our protagonist. From infancy, he never received love and warmth from them. Tim parents only think about themselves without caring about Tim and his three younger siblings, Jane and the Barnaby twins. One day, Tim got the idea to evict his parents by making them go on vacation. When freedom was in sight, their parents turned out to send a caregiver who was hated by Tim.
Just make a summary of the plot above, I already frustrated. The story is not as easy as written because of every turn of the story, always unpredictable and had no logic. The story, as if it does not have conflict and firm goals because at any time it can change direction. Inevitably, the audience can only follow the flow, even though we sometimes cannot understand what the story wants. Frustration is the right word. The plot tempo is so fast with a story direction that is not clear; only waiting for one soft push on the button of the remote to turn off the tv screen. Curiosity always cancelling me to do that. It turns out that this absurd side is also the significant point of the film.
With its absurd and unique style for the target audience and genre, The Willoughbys is finally able to convey a message about a touching family. The life of Tim, Jane, and the Barnaby twins are indeed not as beautiful as they dreamed. Brutal, absurd, and everything beyond reason. They are innocent, and they only need love from their parents. The story and its visual style are very compelling in describing the world perspective of these innocent children—a cruel and cold world without warmth and love. However, as cold as any mountain peak, there will always be sunlight that makes us warm.
“We don’t need a helicopter, because we’re a family!”
Life is beautiful, with all its absurdity.
Stay Safe and Healthy!
