Film: A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls deals with a subject that’s affected me recently so there are definitely tears. Not so much losing my mother, as that was some years back and I was 30 then. But what really got me in this 12A rated film is thinking about an eight-year-old I know who lost her mum to cancer a couple of years ago. I’d say it’s a tough watch for children who have been through something similar, or maybe it’s cathartic.My bereavement was a shock but maybe I had the better deal. Connor is 12 years old is and trying to prepare for the inevitable when his single mum is diagnosed with cancer. This and the daily beatings he receives from the big school bully makes him turn to the tree monster (Liam Neeson).The film is quite magical too, full of big dramatic scenes that pull you in like a tidal wave. What lonely kid doesn’t make friends with random objects? I used to talk to a fly that always seemed to be in our dining room when I was primary school age. There was a big age gap between me and my siblings with the eldest leaving home before I was a teenager. So I sensed a little bit of the ‘only child’ feeling that Connor endured.With recurring nightmares about not been able to save his Mum (Felicity Jones), Connor turns to a fantasy world of monsters and gets to talk to the tree monster about what he is feeling. That’s got to be easier than facing the truth, right? Plus he turns up on time, seven minutes past midnight, every time.Connor takes his daily punishment at school – as only those who have no alternative but to allow themselves to be bullied - often do, as it seems to be less painful than losing the most important person in his life. The beatings seem the lesser of the two problems which he is dealing with on his own, with his dad living all the way over in America.He does have a seemingly cold grandmother (Sigourney Weaver) who is trying to build a closer relationship with Connor as she faces also faces loss.I ordinarily only note the enjoyment or in this case, impact of seeing the film but it was hard not to notice there is a kid (Lewis MacDougall) on the screen, acting his socks off. Amazing.8/10@RickieWrites