I have to admit, as someone who grew up with the beloved Garfield comics and cartoons, I was quite excited when I heard they were making a new movie featuring everyone’s favorite grumpy cat. However, after giving it a watch, I must say I left feeling rather disappointed and a bit saddened.
Wondering if I’m unknowingly using words that could trigger someone, Jon Arbuckle pondered as Garfield scampered away from his home for the third time. The humorous irony in the last scene of The Garfield Movie made me giggle, especially after enduring the movie I had just watched. As a parent and partner to adoptees, it’s hard for me to comprehend the carelessness portrayed in this story.
On a night out with friends, my wife and daughter chose a film, unaware that it would later resonate deeply with me. As they reacted, I decided to watch it too, having some understanding of the challenges faced by adoptees though I’m not one myself. Unfortunately, I must admit that the movie failed to meet expectations, especially considering November is National Adoptee Awareness Month. It’s only fair to point out where this film missed the mark in representing and serving the adoptee community.
Garfield’s Flippant Use Of Adoption As A Storyline Was A Bit Rattling As The Parent Of An Adopted Child
In Hollywood, it appears that there are limited methods for evoking emotion in family films, and following the impactful parental death scene in “IF“, adoption was ripe for exploration in “The Garfield Movie>”. This isn’t the first children’s film to tackle this subject matter; classics like “Annie“, “Stuart Little“, “Matilda“, and “Meet The Robinsons>” are prime examples. While some may point out flaws in these movies when it comes to adoption trauma, none can compare to the intensity portrayed in “The Garfield Movie“.
If you haven’t seen it yet, the main focus of this tale revolves around Garfield reconnecting with his long-lost father, whom he thought had deserted him during childhood. The film concludes with the father becoming part of the family, however, the journey is filled with unexpected and reckless plot twists that left me stunned and disheartened at the idea that a child would have to experience such storytelling. I found it particularly troubling that Garfield’s father willingly gave him up to Jon, yet continued to keep tabs on him without ever revealing himself or attempting to rebuild their relationship. The movie presents Garfield’s discovery that his father had been watching over him from a distance as a poignant moment, but for me personally, it would trigger anger.
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As a fervent admirer, I acknowledge that not everyone might grasp why “The Garfield Movie” could stir emotions in an adoptee. To be honest, I too was of the same opinion before – if the adopted child is secure now, then there’s no harm done, correct? They should feel fortunate to have found themselves in a favorable situation rather than the one they were born into. However, upon further reflection, I’ve come to understand a different perspective.
Ponder a scenario where you can’t recall your life before adoption, as past laws and attitudes prevent you from discovering those details. The early separation from parents influences brain development significantly, even though we may not consciously remember our earliest years. This impact is far-reaching, affecting everything from how adoptees navigate relationships to their everyday interactions.
As a gamer, I can’t claim to understand every adoptee’s journey, but I’ve had heartfelt discussions with my loved ones and others in their circles who have shared their experiences. Growing up adopted isn’t always easy, even when surrounded by love, and much of the struggle happens during childhood. It’s disheartening to see these stories used for emotional impact in movies, often with a tone that feels dismissive, as if no adoptee was involved in its creation. This is particularly disappointing given the size and influence of a franchise like Garfield.
The Movie Dives Heavily Into Feelings Adoptees Feel Without Much Interest In Exploring Those Emotions
I think what’s most damning about The Garfield Movie is that it hits on a lot of common themes adoptees come across in their lifetime but is not interested in diving into any of them. So much is unspoken between Garfield and his father, Vic, about his feelings of abandonment, learning his father was watching him from far away, and reuniting. This would be fine in most cases, but it’s literally the entire point of the story, so why not explore it and go past tired tropes? It’s such a missed opportunity not only to educate others but to help children experiencing the same feelings.
One particularly painful part is the scene in which we see Garfield’s father balk at retrieving his son from Jon and continuing to do so because his adopted father can provide a better life. Its a rough decision that, frankly, some biological parents do make in the world of foster care and adoption, but there are also many others who don’t. The Garfield Movie inadvertently sends the message that it’s best to default to who is the more well-off family rather than promoting family preservation. It’s a not-so-subtle message, and I’m a bit shocked no one picked up on it.
In terms of the cast of “The Garfield Movie,” I find no room for criticism. However, I have my doubts about the decision-making of the producers and screenwriters. Many might agree with me when they say, “It’s a children’s movie; there’s only so much time.” My argument, however, is that if there isn’t enough time to handle sensitive subjects delicately in a film, given that some portion of the audience has lived through these experiences, perhaps it would be best not to tell the story at all.
Some May Argue It’s More About Pet Adoption Than Humans, And I Totally Disagree
What’s most upsetting about The Garfield Movie for me is that while the movie is about pets, it’s pretty clear the movie was written to draw parallels to human adoption. For those that argue otherwise, how often does the average house pet reunite with their parent who gave them up? I have a feeling we see it happen much more often in human adoption than the other way around.
This series of events prompted me to wonder why the filmmakers chose to focus on adoption as a central theme, given the movie didn’t appear to delve deeply into this subject matter. The success of Garfield and Friends demonstrates that such a narrative isn’t necessary, and Bill Murray’s Garfield movies, which he agreed to do due to his faith in their Coen brother creators, also avoided this approach. I can only surmise that the decision was made to elicit an emotional response from viewers, which, as previously mentioned, seems exploitative towards a community that already faces unfair portrayals in media. I can only hope that future productions will exercise more sensitivity and thoughtfulness when creating stories that significantly impact marginalized groups.
To clarify, “The Garfield Movie” is available on Netflix, giving viewers the freedom to decide if they want to watch it. Don’t forget to stay tuned to TopMob for updates on entertainment and family-friendly films worth watching.
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2024-11-16 17:07