Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Pete's Dragon (2016) Adoption Movie Review
by Addison Cooper, LCSW
Please note: Spoilers throughout this review. Want to avoid spoilers? In a nutshell: this one is probably good for adoptive families with kids over 8, but it could be hard for kids who are sensitive to themes of parental loss or violence. Like Finding Dory, for adoptive families this isn't a popcorn flick, but instead is a rather deeply emotional film that could be helpful for some kids and parents as they think about loss, feelings, and family formation. Spoilers ahead the rest of the way:
A young boy named Pete is on a road trip with his parents.
Just after his parents commend Pete for his bravery, their car overturns. Pete’s
parents die in the accident, and Pete is left alone on a road through the
wilderness. Pete is sad and alone, and soon finds himself surrounded by wolves.
Before the wolves can attack, they are scared away by a large, furry, green
dragon. Local legends tell of a vicious dragon in the woods, and Pete’s first
question is “Are you going to eat me?” This is a friendly dragon, though. Pete
is safe, and names the dragon Elliot after a favorite storybook character. For
the next several years, Pete and Elliot enjoy life. Their happy life is
threatened when developers come to the forest. Several workers decide to hunt
Elliot; Pete is fascinated by Natalie, a human girl of his own age. Will Pete
and Elliot remain friends? Can Elliot stay safe? And how will Pete fit in with
the other humans?
The Adoption
Connection
Pete lost his parents when he was very young. He has bonded
to the friendly dragon Elliot, who serves as some combination of guardian,
friend, and pet to Pete. He appears to have strong memories that arise when he
sees a car, which makes sense given that his parents died in a car accident.
Pete is initially scared when adults try to take care of him; he runs away, and
cries that he wants to go home. Pete eventually finds a home with a human
family, but continues to visit Elliot.
Strong Points
Natalie and her mother Grace take a genuine interest in Pete
when they find him apparently alone in the woods. They are safe people; Natalie’s
mother takes Pete home, finds out who he is, and strives to care for him,
intending to take him to the social service agency in the morning.
Grace is able to connect with her own history of loss to be
helpful to Pete.
Pete has several people who arise to protect him when he is
vulnerable, alone and afraid: Grace, Natalie, and Elliot all help him out.
When Pete wants to run away, he tries to promise that no one
ever has to see him again; Grace affirms that she wants to keep seeing Pete around.
Her affirmation to him reminds me of what David says to Dennis in Martian Child
– basically, “you belong here, and I want you here.”
Finding a human family does not preclude Pete from maintaining
a friendship with Elliot; his human family makes sure that he is able to keep
visiting his furry green friend.
When Pete and Elliot say goodbye to each other, they howl to
express their emotions; it was reminiscent of a scene between Spot and Arlo in
The Good Dinosaur.
Challenges
An adult handles Pete roughly, knocking him out.
One of the woodsmen tries to capture Elliot, and to claim
Elliot as his property. One or two scenes are a bit violent, Elliot is shot
with several tranquilizer darts, and another scene involves a lot of fire;
either of these could be scary for some kids.
Weak Points
Grace lies to Pete; she tells him that he can go home, but she
secretly intends to bring him to social services.
Recommendations
Pete’s Dragon seems best-suited to kids ages 8 and up.
Younger kids might enjoy the film, but younger kids who have experienced trauma
might be scared by a couple scenes where Elliot is attacked by hunters. Kids
who have unresolved grief regarding lost parents might find an opening scene
very hard to watch when Pete’s parents die in a car accident. It’s also pretty
sad when Pete and Elliot split up – even though they are able to continue their
friendship. A few kids behind me in the theater cried. Although it is sad at
times, this is also the story of a young boy who is helped after a great loss
by a safe friend, and who needs – and finds – a loving, understanding parent.
If your kids can make it through the hard parts, this seems like a positive
movie for adoptive families with kids over age 8 or so. It’s not an easy “popcorn
flick” kind of movie, but it is an emotionally deep movie that could be helpful
to some adoptive families for its portrayal of loss, emotion, and family
formation.
Questions for
Discussion
Two people have an argument; one says, “Just because you can’t
see something doesn’t mean it’s not there.” The other says “Just because you
say something is true doesn’t mean it is.” Which of their points of view do you
like best?
What do you think helped Pete feel comfortable with Grace
and Natalie?
Now that Pete is part of Grace’s and Natalie’s family, will
he keep seeing Elliot?
How many different people cared about Pete?
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