London Film Festival Day 2: Moonlight, A Monster Calls, Christine & More
5. A Monster Calls
J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage, The Impossible) delivers an emotionally devastating adaptation of Patrick Ness' fantasy drama novel about a young boy, Conor (Lewis MacDougall), coming to terms with this mother's (Felicity Jones) cancer diagnosis.
Though the appearance of a giant tree monster (voiced with booming, gruff brilliance by Liam Neeson) who attempts to help Conor accept his feelings threatens to turn things too silly, the two-hander between MacDougall and Neeson is instead profoundly affecting. Of particular note are two gorgeously animated fable-like stories that the Monster tells to Conor while on his coming-of-age journey.
Jones is also sublime here, and Sigourney Weaver does solid work as Conor's stern-but-well meaning grandmother (even if her accent is a bit...ambiguous).
Rating: With first-rate direction from Bayona (who will soon enough tackle Jurassic World 2), a star-making turn from its young lead and some truly awards-worthy visual effects work, A Monster Calls is a potent, deeply emotional tale of love and loss. This is one movie you won't be ashamed to admit made you shed more than a few tears. As the credits rolled at the press screening, sniffles and the opening of tissues were the only sounds to be heard. 7/10