It’s not easy being big
BY JONATHAN KANE
Never having been a big fan of Steven Spielberg’s work – more moneymaking ability than artistic talent – I came away surprisingly pleased with his new children’s fantasy, “The BFG”.
Based on a Roald Dahl 1982 classic novel and adapted by the late Melissa Matheson (“E.T.”), Spielberg has woven a charming and entertaining tale of probably the most unlikely friendship imaginable. That’s the one between a 24-foot giant (Mark Rylance) and a smart, precocious 10-year-old played beautifully by newcomer Ruby Barnhill.
Rylance, heralded as the greatest living stage actor in the world and fresh from his Oscar-winning performance last year, steals the show as well as showcasing why so much praise is being heaped upon him. Using motion-capture technology to its greatest effect to date, Rylance shows his whole range in a breathtaking performance, most of it through his eyes that hits every note.
The story, with some changes from the novel, is not heavy on plot but rich in imagination. The BFG (short for “Big Friendly Giant”), as Sophie (Barnhill) calls him affectionately, has stolen her in the middle of the night from her London orphanage because she has discovered him and he can’t trust her with his secret existence.
Off they go to Giant Country where Sophie soon learns that rather than being scary, the BFG is a benevolent sweetheart. But the other giants in the land, who tower over him and call him runt, have a taste for what they call “human beans.” The BFG fills his time capturing dreams and, after a beautiful sequence where he takes Sophie to the Land of Dreams, they narrowly escape her being eaten by the giants.
Enter the Queen of England, as the plot gets more outlandish. Sophie introduces the BFG at Buckingham Palace in a memorable scene and a plan is hatched to rid the world of the mean giants forever.
Not quite up to the level of “E.T.”, “The BFG” is excellent entertainment for all ages.