The Willoughbys

“𝐀 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝; 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝.”

  If you love stories about families that stick together and love each other through thick and thin, and it all ends happily ever after, this isn’t the film for you. The Willoughbys is an animated comedy film narrated by The Willoughbys’ family cat. It was released in 2020 and directed by Kris Pearn. Based on the book of the same name by Lois Lowry, the film stars the voices of Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Seán Cullen, and Ricky Gervais. The plot revolves around the Willoughby siblings - Tim, Jane, Barnaby A, and Barnaby B - who live in an old-fashioned home filled with the echoes of their glorious ancestors, a haunting reminder of how great they used to be. Unfortunately, unlike the previous generations of the Willoughby family, their parents seem to have so much love for each other that there is none left for their children. With feelings of neglect and discontent. This movie is truly an underrated piece of art with its vibrant animation style and dark humor; The Willoughby’s offers a unique take on family dynamics that is heartwarming and amusing.

   The Willoughby siblings are the heart of the story, each with a distinct personality. The contrast between the different distinct personalities is what makes this movie as charming as it is. The film’s lighting and color are also noteworthy as it enhances the movie's whimsical and sometimes dark tone. Additionally, the film’s direction ensures that even though it deals with darker themes like neglect, child abuse, and abandonment, it remains accessible and entertaining to a family audience. Oh, and let’s not forget about the movie’s soundtrack, which features original songs by Alessia Cara that complement the movie’s whimsical tone. The music adds to the film’s emotional depth, particularly in scenes where the characters express their dreams, hopes, and desires, as well as in comedic scenes, as the playful sound effects really enhance the experience and feeling of joy.

  The Willoughbys explores themes of family, love, and independence. The movie challenges the traditional notion and belief of family by showing that the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb, showing that blood relations do not necessarily make a family - love and care do. It also delves into the importance of forging one’s own path in life as the Willoughby children learn to create a new kind of family, one based on mutual respect and affection. The film’s darker elements, such as parental neglect, are handled with a light touch, making them appropriate for younger audiences while offering depth for older viewers. And if you ask me, The Willoughbys perfectly explains how a child who experienced those circumstances sees the world around them. The siblings are so clueless about how life works outside their old-fashioned home aside from what they read from the books.

           My favorite part of the story was actually Tim’s obsession with growing a mustache and restoring the Willoughby Honor, which in my opinion, directly stems from his wonky sense of self; thus, he's grasping at straws, only clinging to the history of his family as his guide to who he should be as a Willoughby. Thus, in the end, where, albeit a bit salty, he accepts that he's the only one who hasn't grown a mustache, whereas his siblings have already grown one. This symbolizes his growth and how he broke through his previous mindset.

  Overall, The Willoughbys is a charming, offbeat family film that delivers laughs and lessons. Its unique animation style, strong voice cast, and clever storytelling make it a must-watch for all audiences, especially those who are fans of animated movies. I highly recommend this movie to families looking for something different from the usual animated film themes. So if you love stories about biological families that don't stick together, but find another family through an unexpected adventure and unprecedented hardship in the most unexpected people who are willing to love them through thick and thin, and it all ends happily ever after, then perhaps this is the film for you.