Anchisa Utjapimuk 554 02568 22

Bridge to Terabithia

Do you hate your real world? Jesse Aarons really does. He is a depressed and lonely boy bullied at school and neglected at home. But then he finds Leslie Burke and she shows him a bridge to an isolated field. There, they imagine a fantasy world, Terabithia, where they can rule and fight fears which reflect the real-life fears they face. Jesse then realizes he could stand up and make his life better. But then the most challenging horror comes his way. Though seemingly a clichd coming-of-age childrens story, Bridge to Terabithia is a unique creation; it subtly underlines a theme even adults would be left to think about. The delightful, positive storyline is tainted with pessimistic truth, confusing viewers to find the exact message the film is trying to get across. Throughout the film, we see how Jesse uses Terabithia correctly; to give him courage in the real world. However, as the story progresses, Jesses increasing attachment to fantasy clash repeatedly with his fathers firmness on reality, and he questions which way to choose. Then, after Leslie dies, this most devastating horror drives Jesse to choose only fantasy; he tries to enter Terabithia and forget the truth for good. However, Jesse finally learns he could cherish Leslie, his fantasy, by letting the memory of her inspire him in real life, and that pretending she is alive does nothing but destroy him. He learns that what he had done all along is balancing dream and reality, and he continues that way. The film is swift but detailed; introducing Jesse in a few heart-rending scenes which speak pages about his hopelessness, and how he struggled to be noticed. While Leslie is as lonely as Jesse, she is beautifully portrayed as the light in the dreary world by her optimism and courageous nature. The film shows us their time together fighting monsters and draws us into the action. Letting us see through Jesses eyes, the film left us anticipating a happy ending, backstabs us with a simple revelation, before concluding with a strong truth. It is a must-see tale of a clash between fantasy and reality, which would leave you in tears as well as awe, of how damaging extremes of each can be. It realistically shows that optimism and hope exist to help us face realitys harsh turns with courage, not for us to find refuge in dreams and hide forever from the truth.