My Best Worst Adventure is one of those kid’s films I would watch with my kid and probably more than once. It’s for older children and tweens, and it’s an excellent film to show them as in introduction to foreign films. It’s very different and something they’d quickly pass on because it doesn’t have lasers, superheroes, or dance numbers. It’s just a story about kids like themselves living in another part of the world. That said, you’re going to have to sell it to them a bit.
There’s a little bit of silliness to break up the drama. The town’s sports comes in the form of buffalo races. Jenny’s grandmother tries to figure out basketball with her friends which has an odd “ball shot.”
Yes, there are subtitles, but the film is a good primer for “reading” your film as the primary languages consist of English and Thai. Subtitles are used for crucial plot-related dialogue. Not to fear, because the dialogue that isn’t translated, we amazingly understand its tone and emotion.
“For a character, who doesn’t speak…Patra conveys personality and her emotional journey…”
The themes in Jenny’s adventure are universal. Jenny finds a life of meaning without the modern conveniences of life. When she’s not distracted by technology, she finds friendship and loyalty, and ultimately comes face-to-face with the difficult and complicated decisions adults make for their families.
Joel Soisson tells a wonderful coming of age story, and Lily Patra just nails it in the lead. From the opening moments, she’s this unlikable, entitled teen (not in a stereotypical way), who’s only salvation is that she has a family, who loves her…and is incredibly patient with her behavior. For a character, who doesn’t speak throughout the entire film, Patra conveys personality and her emotional journey in such a way that you forget she’s has yet to say a word.
If you have a kid willing to try something new in their movie watching pattern and you want to show them why you love independent film, have them watch My Best Worst Adventure.
"…one of those kid’s films I would watch with my kid and probably more than once."
