Flash Movie Review: The Wolfpack
When I want to take a break and check out of reality I allow myself a little time to dream about what my retirement (if I ever can) life might look like. I imagine I would still be involved in some type of physical activity such as yoga, cycling or running. The thing I like to focus on is the idea I would be able to spread out my movie watching time throughout the week, instead of doing multiple movies on the same day. The other item that plays a part in my retirement fantasy is the ability to travel more, without being limited by time constraints. I am convinced I would never be bored in retirement. Now the reason I am talking about this today has to do with turning dreams into reality. Now granted I do not know what the future holds for me, but it is important for me to maintain my dreams because they get me out of bed each day. I am a creature of habit so it is easy for me to sustain a daily routine. However, I know there will be times where I lose sight and feel I am stuck in my life. Fantasizing about the future is a stress reliever for me; it presents a world to me that looks familiar but has not opened its doors yet to me. I honestly do not know how someone can function being in the same place, doing the same thing every single day. After watching this picture, I am still having a hard time processing what I saw about this family from the lower east side of Manhattan. FROM their apartment the Anguro children could look out their window and see a world they were not part of because they were not allowed to go outside. Their days were spent watching then acting out scenes from the movies they watched on their small television. This film festival winning documentary was one of the more surreal movie watching experiences I have had in quite some time. As I said earlier I am still processing what essentially was a dramatic biography. With a mixture of the family’s home movies, on camera interviews and what I assumed was current filming; I sat in my seat in disbelief. I will say the brothers did an amazing job in recreating scenes from some classic films. This movie really made me think about dreams and hopes; because here I am able to talk about my conceived future, yet I sat and wondered what dreams or fantasies did these boys have growing up in their apartment or should I say prison cell. Though this was one of the most unusual stories I have ever seen, I had to admire the resiliency in these siblings.
3 1/2 stars
Posted on August 7, 2015, in Documentary and tagged 3 1/2 stars, biography, documentary, drama, film festival winner, manhattan. Bookmark the permalink. 13 Comments.
This is harrowing. As you say, they must be remarkably resilient, and have amazing imaginations, to have survived.
You said it perfectly; thanks for your comments.
You’re welcome 🙂
This made me both sad and glad at the same time. I will be on the lookout for this movie.
If I haven’t mentioned it, the movie is available via video on demand. I cannot wait for you to see it and get your reaction to it.
I, too, will be on the lookout for this movie.
It is available now via video on demand. Thank you for your comments and please let me know what you think of this movie after you get to see it.
I’ll check on Netflix and Amazon.
Very good, I would enjoy hearing back from you after you get to see this film. Thanks for telling me.
I just finished watching The Wolfpack at Amazon. Most striking to me was the enormous amount of creativity these young men have and the love they have for their mother and each other. Watching them enjoy their time in the autumn landscape of colored leaves, pumpkins and apples made me smile…I found it poignant that the mother went to see how her children were enjoying their time in the country (which apparently was something she had wanted for them all along) and how the father went in a different direction.. Who knew that movies and TV could be life savers to these young people trapped in a NYC apartment. I hope that they are able to continue receiving therapy if it is helping them and that, if they wished to, they have been able to met their grandmother.
I have lots of questions but found some answers in the movie.
I just saw these comments after commenting on your previous ones. I agree, the children are utterly amazing in their creativity and love under the circumstances. Like you, I would love to see a sequel and find out how they are doing now. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us here; I appreciate you taking the time and effort.
I liked this movie. As someone above said, it makes you feel happy and sad at the same time. During this film, you get a reprieve that for every negative close minded force – represented by their dad is positive and creative approach – their mom. That is a comforting thought.
I am glad you enjoyed this film and I liked what you wrote about the negative close minded force to the positive. Thank you for sharing your comments here, I appreciate it.