Movie Review - Despicable Me

Directed by Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud

Review written by Barb Drotos, MSW, LICSW

Have you seen this movie? Do your kids want to see this movie and you are not sure about it? This is one of those animated films that seem funny and adorable and a little strange. The appeal is this modern day animated main character that is strangely appealing due to his bizarre personality and dark but somehow adorable mannerisms. This is the type of movie that easily attracts kids with its charm in the movie trailers. It is now available on home video and at your local retail stores. It is also the type of movie that your children may enjoy thoroughly, laughing all the way, or may be triggered into feeling of loss and abandonment. So, be prepared. It is important to know some of the themes and quite literally, some of the details in the plot.

There are many positive elements in this film regarding adoption. The children are a sibling group of three. They care for one another deeply, protect one another, and there are moments of care and playful interaction between them. There are also realistic moments of sibling rivalry and simple sarcasm in their interactions. The oldest is protective of the younger two, and the youngest is endearing and more carefree than her older sisters. This is realistic and brings frequent laughter from the audience. The father is a single parent who adopts these three sisters with naiveté, believing this will be simple. He has no idea that he will need to radically modify his lifestyle as he expands his family from one to four people! There is humor throughout as he becomes charmed by these girls and slowly modifies many, many things in his life to accommodate and nurture the three. They truly capture his heart and he changes, slowly but drastically, as the movie progresses. His character softens to become a caring, nurturing father who understands the needs of the children and puts them first. He puts his role of villain aside for the new role of parent. They change their view of him as well and they accept him and seek out his care. From bedtime stories and spontaneous affection such as hugs and a good night kiss to dropping his “job” as the local villain, this movie is a lighthearted metaphor for how adoption literally transforms both parent and child as they form an attachment.

On the flip side, there are some serious cautions about this animated film. On the surface, the plot can be offensive and actually frightening to an adoptive parent or child. The main character “adopts” three girls from a local orphanage for the self serving purpose of actually stealing an invention/machine from his rival, something that will make him very wealthy and famous. He views the children as a means to an end and they are sadly disappointed when they go to his home, a freakish, dark place with strange pets and no affection from their new father. They truly “see” him as a villain and then quickly learn to rely on one another, especially their oldest sister, who naturally plays a caregiver and protector. Children can experience something similar in adoption, as in the beginning of placement everything feels different, unfamiliar and “strange” This can be a negative trigger for children watching this movie. Soon enough, the kids in the story begin to “grow” on the villain and he begins to interact with them in a more nurturing, playful manner. He comes to save them when they are captured by the rival villain in the film. He softens his interactions with them and his house literally begins to morph into a more child friendly place. He begins to play and enjoy time with them in a unique and somewhat silly manner. The children smile and giggle with him and the audience cannot help but to notice the physical and emotional changes taking place in this family.

However, there is a time in the movie when the villain chooses between his project, which will lead him to fame and fortune, and the children. He sadly chooses his original mission, not the children. His assistant phones the orphanage director, who comes to the house and brings the children back to the orphanage. Although the audience witnesses his sadness and hesitance, the children still leave, while the youngest child literally clings to his leg and begs not to go. Even someone not connected to adoption would be saddened and disappointed by this scene. Several scenes later, the family is reunited when the villain gives in to his struggle and realizes the importance of the children in his life. He takes drastic measures, only possible with the help of computer animation, to seek and bring the girls back to him. In one scene, he promises the oldest child that he will never, ever let her go again. He asks her to trust him and following some obvious hesitance, she does and makes a physical leap out of an airplane, believe it or not, into his arms and they are reunited.

In the end, this is a very strange, but endearing story of adoption. This new family ends up enjoying life together. They blend traditional family moments such as bedtime stories, completing school work and going to amusement parks while living in a bizarre house that now easily accommodates three sisters who like princesses and a bedroom decorated with pink and purple. As well, moments that can trigger grief and loss for an adopted child stream throughout the animated film. The traditional “not so nice” orphanage director, commonly characterized in the movies, is present in the film twice. The father, a single parent in the film, is a character who is literally a villain and quite non-traditional and in the beginning of the film. He may be a bit frightening for young children. He is apt to be hysterically funny to older children who can enjoy his bizarre mannerisms and physical features.

Bottom line: As an adoptive parent, review this movie before watching with your children. You know your children best and will be able to anticipate their responses. It will also be important to debrief with your child after the film. Discuss what is “real” and typical of adoption and what is unrealistic. They are likely to see adoption themes in films throughout their lives, animated and otherwise. Help your children to enjoy films but also understand reality from fantasy.