“Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”
is the latest example of a wonderful children’s book turned into a
mediocre movie. This kind of thing happens so frequently — exceptions
like “Where the Wild Things Are” and, arguably, “Shrek”
prove the rule upheld by every recent big-screen Dr. Seuss adaptation —
that you could almost believe that there is malice involved. Movie
studios do a pretty good job of making pleasing, sometimes transporting
family entertainment out of original ideas or ancient folklore. Why do
they keep messing up the kiddie lit? Are they doing it on purpose?
Probably not. “Alexander,” directed by Miguel Arteta,
written by Rob Lieber and based on Judith Viorst’s beloved 1972 picture
book, is less an act of spite than a failure of nerve. It approaches
its young audience with an anxious, condescending smile that masks an
unmistakable panic. What if they don’t like it? What if they’re bored?
Or scared? Or upset? What if their parents take offense? To guard
against such unwelcome responses, the movie tosses out a hectic barrage
of almost-naughty jokes and gags (vomit is shown; poop is mentioned),
reassuring speeches and constant signals that no matter what goes wrong,
everything will be all right in the end.
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On the eve of his 12th birthday, Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) finds himself the odd man out in his relentlessly upbeat family. Mom (Jennifer Garner),
who works at a publishing company, is in line for a big promotion if
her latest title — an inspirational toilet-training manual for toddlers
and their parents — takes off. Dad (Steve Carell),
a laid-off aeronautical engineer turned cheerful stay-at-home father,
has a job interview with a video game company. Alexander’s big sister
(Kerris Dorsey) has the lead in the middle school production of “Peter
Pan,” while his big brother (Dylan Minnette) has a prom date with “the
hottest girl in school” (Bella Thorne). The baby is content until
Alexander accidentally destroys his favorite pacifier.
In
frustration, Alexander wishes a bad day on all of them and then is
appalled when it seems that his curse comes to life. Everything goes
wrong, but somehow not quite wrong enough. The mishaps never rise to the
level of true farce, in spite of Mr. Carell’s gifts as a physical
comedian and Ms. Garner’s knack for acting stressed out.
But in turning Ms. Viorst’s book (which has previously been adapted as a musical for the stage and an animated HBO short film)
into a family caper, the filmmakers have robbed it of its empathy and
insight. The original both has fun with and makes fun of Alexander’s
frustration with the unfairness of the world and his own impotence. It
is not afraid to show the conflicts that can roil even the most loving
family.
The
movie is terrified of just that and goes so far in its insistence on
harmony that it starts to feel actively dishonest, repressing the very
energies it is pretending to unleash. Rather than recognizing
themselves, their parents and their siblings on the screen, children in
the audience are likely to wonder just who these smiling, anxious people
are supposed to be. And then to forget the whole thing.
“Alexander
and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” is rated PG
(Parental guidance suggested). Mildly provocative humor and very bad
driving.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad DayOpens on Friday
Directed by Miguel Arteta; written by Rob Lieber, based on the book by Judith Viorst; director of photography, Terry Stacey; edited by Pamela L. Martin; music by Christophe Beck; production design by Michael Corenblith; costumes by Nancy Steiner; produced by Shawn Levy, Lisa Henson and Dan Levine; released by Walt Disney Pictures. Running time: 1 hour 21 minutes.
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