Photo | “Turning Red” – Pixar Animation Studios
The best thing about “Turning Red” being released on streaming instead of going to the big screen is that when you inevitably weep at the end, you’re at home and it’s less embarrassing. The message of this emotionally advanced film is that you should not be embarrassed about strong feelings though, so audible sobs in a movie theater would be perfectly appropriate in this case.
Mei (Rosalie Chiang) is a high-achieving 13-year-old who enjoys making perfect grades because she loves the approval of her tight-knit Canadian-American family, especially her equally perfectionist mother, Ming (Sandra Oh). Her family owns a tourist destination shrine in Toronto, where they honor their ancestor and her fierce spirit, embodied in a red panda.
The most responsible girl in her group of friends, Mei surprises herself when she starts to agree with them that a guy who works at the convenience store is cute. After a fevered session of drawing the young man in various fairly innocent romantic scenarios, Mei and her drawings are discovered by her mom. In the humiliating aftermath of what follows, Mei discovers her embarrassment has a very literal, physical expression when she is spontaneously transformed into a massive red panda. It is the best metaphor for puberty since Alice ate that mushroom in Wonderland and changed sizes.
Like the other Pixar masterpiece “Inside Out,” the difficulties of navigating emotions and growing up is made adorably literal. It turns out the panda curse is a generational one, so the exploration of mother-daughter relationships becomes a huge part of the film, and it is handled so cleverly and so articulately that anyone who has ever had or been a child will be riveted.
There has been some backlash against this film because it is specific to females, which I think tells us we need many more movies like this. Another point of contention is that it is too specific to Chinese culture, which is offensive and absurd. You will either connect with the material because it is familiar to you, or you will learn and experience something new because it isn’t.
The specificity is part of what makes this film so powerful. Details both physical and emotional create a vivid, unforgettable cast and world that’s grounded in reality but with fantastical elements. One detail that much has been made of is the groundbreaking presence of a very quotidian part of life — Mei’s period. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an animated character wield a box of feminine hygiene products before, but I’m all for it. Mei’s parents spring to action when they suspect menstruation is causing her problems, and it’s incredibly powerful to see this sometimes-taboo subject discussed.
Of course, it turns out Mei’s problem is bigger than that — it is quite literally bigger because she physically changes into a red panda. With the help of her strong support system of friends, however, she learns to control her inner red panda and finds strength in that side of herself. Soon the girls hatch a wild scheme to use the popularity of Mei’s panda persona to raise money so they can buy tickets to the concert for their favorite boy band, 4-Town.
I will not spoil the colorful, wacky, relatable turn of events that follows, but “Turning Red” spins a wonderful tale about growing up, family expectations, friends, school, ancient curses, absorbing fandoms, magical ceremonies and massive stadium concerts, with the signature Pixar emotional wallop.
But don’t let me over-emphasize the tears you might shed for the spiritual journey Mei takes. This is a lively and funny movie for kids. I watched this animated film with a 10-year-old boy, who did not bat an eyelash about any of the subject matter, and focused on the marvelously tactile and furry red panda herself. Whether you zero in on generations of female empowerment and healing, or the lush tail of a gigantic furry beast, there is something for everyone in “Turning Red.”
“Turning Red” is now streaming on Disney+.
New This Week:
“The Lost City”: Brilliant but reclusive author Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) has spent her career writing about exotic places in her popular romance-adventure novels featuring handsome cover model Alan (Channing Tatum), who has dedicated his life to embodying the hero character, Dash. While on tour promoting her new book with Alan, Loretta is kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) who hopes she can lead him to the ancient lost city’s treasure from her latest story. Wanting to prove he can be a hero in real life and not just on the pages of her books, Alan sets off to rescue her. All multiplex theaters, Nexus Cinema Dining, Crescent Theater.
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