Beasts of the Southern Wild

Grade: A-

Beasts of the Southern Wild was an impressive achievement by many, not the least of which was by a 9 year old lead actress who has a long career ahead of her, a lead actor who astoundingly had never acted before [the crew had to beg him to do the film – he owns a bakery, and is reportedly not interested in an acting career; he’d rather focus on his wife, 5 children, and his bakery], and a director who is making his feature film debut. Among this year’s Oscar nominees, “Beasts” is the little film that could. It is sweet, sad, and a minor miracle. And by the way, there’s a bit that happens at about the 34 minute mark which gave me the biggest belly laugh I’ve had at any movie I’ve seen this past year.

Grade: A-