Christopher Robin last left the Hundred Acre Woods as a
preteenager; although he knew that his life would require him to move on from
his cherished memories there with Pooh and his other friends, he promised that
he would never forget them. Decades later, Christopher is a manager of a
luggage company; he feels the pressure of knowing that he may have to lay off
several of his staff if he cannot find a way to reduce costs, and feeling the
pinch of this pressure, he decides not to accompany his wife and young daughter
on a vacation. His family is hurt by his absence, feeling that he consistently puts
work in front of them. Still, he sends them off to the cottage he knew as a
child while he stays home alone – and he would have stayed home alone, had not
a friend from his past come to visit. Pooh has discovered that all of his
friends are missing, and he has come to ask Christopher for help finding them.
Christopher intends to take Pooh back to the Hundred Acre Woods, and he must
determine how he will prioritize the competing demands on his time.
** SPOILERS AHEAD THE REST OF THE WAY **
The Adoption
Connection
There is no mention of adoption in the film. Some of the
film does center on Christopher’s unavailability to his daughter, which could
be particularly sad for kids who have experienced neglect.
Some could interpret
Christopher as developing into a father figure for Pooh and the other friends
from the Hundred Acre Wood.
Christopher was forced to mature quickly when his father
died. A young Christopher is told, “You’re the man of the house now.”
Strong Points
Christopher Robin struck me as a very endearing film. I
think the live-action-ish stuffed animals reminded me of the feel of Ernest and
Celestine, another favorite.
By the end of the film, Christopher has understood the
importance of family. That realization also helps him have insight into the
work problem he is facing, but his work success is almost incidental – the true
victory is that he tells his daughter that nothing is more important to him
than she is.
The value of recreation and relaxation, even for grown-ups,
can be conveyed by a very wise statement, “Doing nothing often leads to the
very best something.” Christopher’s wife challenges him to focus on the
present, instead of putting all of his efforts into a future life; she reminds
him, “Your life is happening now.”
Christopher does get in touch with his imagination, and
comes through as a great friend to Pooh and the others in the Hundred Acre
Woods.
Pooh is perpetually accepting of Christopher; he is perfectly
understanding and good-natured.
Pooh confides to Christopher that he has been lost, but Christopher
responds, “But I found you, didn’t I?”
Christopher’s friends learn about his daughter, Madeline,
and ask him if a Madeline is more important than all of the papers he worries
about for work. He acknowledges that she is.
Madeline confides in Christopher that she doesn’t want to be
sent away to boarding school, and he agrees that she never has to leave.
Challenges
Christopher seems to have forgotten his dear friends in the
Hundred Acre Woods, even though he promised that he never would forget them. Christopher
acknowledges that he “let Pooh go” the same way that an employer lays off
employees. He yells at Pooh, and then Pooh walks off, saying that Christopher “should
let me go – for efficiency.” This could be difficult for children who fear that
they may be forgotten by their first families. Christopher does shortly
reconcile with Pooh. These children could also be saddened by Christopher’s
daughter longing to know her father, and wondering when he would be home – and even
when he comes home, he is largely unattuned to her.
Some children could have a hard time watching a scene where it’s
implied that Christopher’s father
dies.
Recommendations
Christopher Robin is an endearing film with a worthwhile
message. It isn’t scary, although there are some moments that could be
particularly sad for young viewers if they come too close to the child’s own
history. Parents should consider how their children’s experience of neglect and
parental loss might interplay with the film; for general audiences it seems
suitable to all ages, but most likely to appeal to adults and kids ages 11 and
up.
Questions for
Discussion
How in touch are you with your own childhood? What are some
of your favorite childhood memories?
What are (or were) some of your favorite childhood games?
Toys? Stuffed animals?
How can you prioritize “today”?
Do your children feel that they’re more important than your
job and your possessions? If not, how could you communicate that to them in a
way they’ll understand?
Other Ideas
No comments:
Post a Comment