THE STORY – Librarians Mr. and Mrs. Meek indulge their demanding daughter Myrtle’s every wish. When she wants a Fing, they search deep in the jungle. After finding one, Myrtle faces off against a Viscount who wants the rare creature.
THE CAST – Iona Bell, Taika Waititi, Mia Wasikowska, Blake Harrison, Penelope Wilton, David Walliams
THE TEAM – Jeffrey Walker (Director), David Walliams & Kevin Cecil (Writers)
THE RUNNING TIME – 96 Minutes
Less and less effort is put into family films nowadays. Aside from animated films and Disney live-action remakes, it’s slim pickings for stories that all ages can genuinely enjoy, not just throw on as a distraction for the kids. Enter Jeffrey Walker’s “Fing!,” a movie that never panders or plays it safe. “Fing!” isn’t good simply because films like this are rare. On the contrary, it’s a charming, larger-than-life family adventure with a bold aesthetic and big swings. Needless to say, it’s one of the best family films in ages.
An adaptation of David Walliams’ children’s book of the same name, “Fing!” stars, well, one of the most unpleasant children alive. Myrtle Meek (a spectacular Iona Bell) is a spoiled little brat. From the time she was a baby, her well-meaning parents discovered that presents were the only thing that could calm her down. So, Myrtle grew up never taking no for an answer, and getting every single demand her heart desired. As their name suggests, Myrtle’s librarian parents (Mia Wasikowska and Blake Harrison) are too meek to stand up to their daughter, nearly ruining their lives to please her. With a room full of every possible toy and gift a child could imagine, Myrtle doesn’t even know what to ask for for her birthday. So, she asks for something impossible: a Fing. “A thing?” her parents ask. No, a Fing. It’s a fluffy little monster, a thing of myth, and Myrtle must have it. And thus, her parents search mysterious, locked-away books of mythological monsters to discover where they can find this Fing.
This family dynamic and monstrous mission is straight out of a Roald Dahl book, with a healthy dose of “Paddington” mixed in. It’s a very British fantasy, with a heightened reality, a demanding child, and silly parents beyond themselves on how to care for their daughter. Walker captures an intoxicating sense of whimsical adventure, full of bright colors, wide angles, and larger-than-life performances. It’s effortless world-building, not bothering to explain how an island full of strange legless farting hippopotamuses (among other creatures) could exist, but just dropping us into a lovable world in which a Fing could be real.
And, of course, what would a larger-than-life family film be without an absurd evil villain? Look no further than Taika Waititi’s Viscount. He rivals Myrtle for just how spoiled a person can be. The difference is that the Viscount is rich and thus has his own wildlife park (don’t call it a zoo) full of every creature under the sun. When Myrtle, on a trip to the park, tells The Viscount of her desire for a Fing, he becomes determined to get one first. Waititi was born for a role like this. He’s cartoonish and childish, eating up every scene he’s in. The Viscount is also a perfect balance for Myrtle, showing what selfishness left unchecked can become. She doesn’t want to become him, but doesn’t realize that’s where she’s headed. As good as Waititi is, Bell proves she’s an absolute star. It’s a tough role; she has to be a profoundly unlikable child, screaming at her parents and generally terrorizing everyone around her, but then she has to find her way back, letting the audience still want her to win in the end. Thanks to her performance and a stellar script, Myrtle wins us over.
And we can’t forget about the titular monster, the delightful creature known as a Fing. It’s a giant, fuzzy, red-haired ball with nothing but a big eye in its center. It joins the roster of the most lovable movie monsters, up there with Gizmo and ET, thanks to its memorable design and huggable frame. Kids will instantly want one of their own. “Fing!” utilizes a blend of practical and visual effects to bring it to life, though the visual effects aren’t always the most believable. Still, the craft work in the film draws you in, especially with its bright colors and big orchestral score from Anne Dudley.
“Fing!” works flawlessly as an allegory for both kids and parents. Kids often think that if they had everything they ever wanted, they would be happier, while parents can always use the reminder that it’s okay to say no, and that our kids are better off learning that things (or Fings) won’t bring us as much happiness as the people we surround ourselves with. Greed can drive us, or our kids, to stop caring for other people. “Fing!” is bursting with imagination, infectious charm, and a stellar cast that will have families coming back to watch time and time again. It’s a new family classic.
