Ignorant Movie Review:  Pan’s Labyrinth

Response to title:  Somewhere, somehow, I’ve heard of this movie.  Seeing the title immediately calls to my mind fantasy visuals reminiscent of The Dark Crystal.  That advertisement induced expectation aside, I know nothing explicit about this movie.  Pan, the goat legged Greek god of nature makes me think of the trickster archetype, and the Labyrinth is typically a metaphor for the winding journey of self-knowledge.  I definitely walk into this film expecting high fantasy.

Response to curbside poster:  Whoops.  I forgot to look.  I’m out of practice.

Response post-credits:  First of all, I feel entirely misled by what advertising I saw.  While the film is a modern fairy tale, its primary setting is in WWII Franco Spain with dalliances into the realm of fantasy.  Yes, there are some amazing visuals and costumes, but the setting is primarily realist.  Ofelia, our story’s protagonist, is a young bookish girl attempting to find herself amidst the turmoil of losing her father, a war torn nation, a pregnant and ill mother and a domineering and militaristic step-dad; we play audience to the blooming of her self as she looks to find security in this world.  Pay attention to the faery as metaphor for reality; Guillermo del Toro seeks redress for the psychological toll of materialism through the internal fantasy.

Aside from overcoming my initial misconceptions, the film is excellent and highly enjoyable (it is English subtitled).  I look forward to watching this movie again someday with my daughter, as Ofelia is a strong and capable girl character with traits well worth emulation and self-identification.  One warning to parents:  there are some moments of violence in this film, I would recommend you see it prior to making a decision.  I highly recommend this film.

Rating:  4.12 out of 5 Oly Stubbies.

Film Haiku:  A missing green dress
       thread through lip widened smile.  We’re
                    "obeying without".

Can be seen:  Olympia Film Society
                        206 5th Ave N
                    Olympia, WA  98501

                 Tuesday, March 13, 9pm
            Wednesday, March 14, 6:30pm
                 Thursday, March 15, 9pm
               Saturday, March 17, 6:30pm
                  Monday, March 19, 9pm
               Tuesday, March 20, 6:30pm
               Wednesday, March 21, 9pm
               Thursday, March 22, 6:30pm
                   Friday, March 23, 9pm