In Harold and the Purple Crayon, an adventurous book character can make anything come to life by drawing it. Source: Australian Catholics.
The movie is based on Crockett Johnson’s classic story and illustrations.
The character Harold began life as a four-year-old in Johnson’s 1955 book, inhabiting a fantasy world where if he needed or wanted something, he simply drew it. In later books, however, Harold was adult.
In this version, Harold is living a happy life, solving every need simply by drawing it with his crayon. He is accompanied by his close friends, Moose and Porcupine. He listens to the voice of his creator, whom he calls Old Man (voice by Alfred Molina).
He has a desire to go out into what he calls “The Real World” and out he goes in the form of Zachary Levi.
Soon after, Moose emerges but in human form, played by comedian Lil Rel Howery. But it takes rather a longer time for Porcupine (Tanya Reynolds) who discovers her friends missing, but does not emerge in the real world anywhere close to them and spends a long time in the search.
The clues are always purple because whenever Harold draws, it is with his beloved purple crayon.
When he emerges into the real world, he simply puts his old talent into practice, drawing things into existence, including a purple bike.
Harassed mother Teri (Zooey Deschanel), driving with her son, Mel (a likeable Benjamin Bottani), crashes into Harold and Moose on their bike. This leads to a whole lot of adventures, searching for The Old Man, all kinds of funny and dangerous escapades and situations, and some villainy in the form of New Zealand comedian Jemaine Clement.
The film may appeal to boys of Mel’s age, 13 and down but adult audiences may find it difficult to enjoy the character of Harold, a child in an adult’s body, uttering childlike (and childish) comments.
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC, Jesuit Media
Harold and the Purple Crayon: Starring Zachary Levi, Lil Rel Howery, Zooey Deschanel, Benjamin Bottani, Tanya Reynolds, Jemaine Clement, Alfred Molina. Directed by Carlos Saldanha. 90 minutes. Rated PG (Mild fantasy themes)
FULL REVIEW
Harold and the Purple Crayon (Australian Catholics)
