August 5, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Film Review: Harold and the Purple Crayon

By Dolores Quintana

I will admit that my expectations weren’t high for Harold and the Purple Crayon, but I was pleasantly surprised by the film. It was charming and sincere, not just a kid’s movie but a film that explores disappointed dreams of adults and the role of art and imagination in life. It has a storyline that can appeal to kids and adults. It’s playful and emotional. I really loved the cast, especially Lil Rel Howery, Tanya Reynolds, Benjamin Bottani, Ravi Patel, and, especially, Jemaine Clement and Alfred Molina as the narrator. Watching Tanya Reynolds behave as a real life porcupine was adorable. The comedy in the film really came to life with the work of the supporting cast. 

The film’s synopsis says, “Inside of his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book’s pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life—and that his trusty purple crayon may set off more hilarious hijinks than he thought possible. When the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of Harold and his friends’ creativity to save both the real world and his own. Harold and the Purple Crayon is the first film adaptation of the beloved children’s classic that has captivated young readers for decades.”

Zooey Deschanel and Zachary Levi pulled their weight, and Deschanel, in particular, was given more to do than she normally gets, and it showed in her work. However, Zachary Levi was not the MVP of the cast and he should have been since he has the titular role as Harold. His work can be described as workmanlike and adequate except when he starts to show more as the film progresses. Sadly, it’s not enough to save his performance fully, but it’s more than I have seen him show ever. 

It is a problem that I have had with the three leads of three recent family family films. The lead character, who by all rights should be the star of the show, isn’t and gives what can only be called a passable performance. In many of these cases, the slack was pulled up by the supporting cast, but that makes me wonder why one of them wasn’t the lead and what might have been.  

Harold and the Purple Crayon had lots of undercurrents that posed questions in my mind, like the disappointment of artists who don’t get to fulfill themselves in their chosen crafts, the torture of working a retail job, and how people cause chaos in the world by doing whatever they want without considering the consequences of their actions, especially in movies where wonderous things happen. 

That one came to the forefront with the actions of Harold juxtaposed with the actions of Gary Natwick. Even though Harold didn’t intend to cause chaos, he frequently does. In most family films, the consequences are rarely shown. In this film, they are, and that is refreshing. 

Gary, as a villain, is awful, but you still see the sadness and disappointment that leads him to make bad choices. No one is painted as totally bad; there are levels to the characters’ motivations and actions. There’s a lot more about the characters and what makes them tick than there is in most family films. Gary’s storyline and Jemaine Clement’s performance have pathos and are really funny in a way that will keep adults entertained during the film.

I find that makes the film much more interesting and relatable. The director, Carlos Saldanha, who is a Brazilian animator who co-directed Ice Age, did an excellent job and has a light touch with the heavier concepts in the story. The writers David Guion and Michael Handelman built a strong story and characterizations. Props for setting the film in Providence, Rhode Island. It’s also nice to see a film set somewhere outside of the main population centers and the live action with the inclusion of animation works quite well. 

Harold and the Purple Crayon is a joyous celebration of art and love that is kept from being sublime only by the performance of its lead actor. The supporting cast does wonderful and amusing work that would have been better served by a stronger lead. But still, it is a thoughtful, emotional, and entertaining film with a light touch on some serious subjects that still retains childhood magic. Director Carlos Saldanha deserves praise for his good work in adapting a beloved childhood book.

<>Related Posts

Santa Monica Animal Shelter Waives Adoption Fees to Ease Shelter Surge

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Overcrowded Shelter Needs Homes for Cats and Dogs Amid an unprecedented surge in intakes, the Santa Monica Animal Shelter has...

Elvis Meets Oedipus at the Getty Villa in Fall Premiere of Oedipus the King, Mama!

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Getty Villa Stages Rock-Fueled Oedipus Satire Under the Stars The Getty Villa Museum will bring the myth of Oedipus to...

Retail and Dining Could be Coming to RAND’s Santa Monica Headquarters

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

The changes aim to revitalize the underutilized property, which has seen reduced occupancy due to post-pandemic hybrid work trends The...

(Video) Festival of Chariots Transforms Venice Beach Into a Showcase of Indian Culture

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

First held in Los Angeles in 1976, the festival draws inspiration from the ancient Jagannath Puri festival in India Festival...

Side-by-Side Beachfront Homes in Santa Monica  Hit Market for $23M Each

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Designed with minimalist luxury, the residences showcase floor-to-ceiling glass walls and views of the Pacific Ocean Two modern beachfront homes,...

Lane Closures Set for Pacific Coast Highway This Week for Utility Work

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

The closure marks the third and final stage of constructing a new bridge at Corral Canyon Road, where Caltrans is...

Selling Sunset Star Close to Closing $30M Off-Market Deal for Kanye West’s Former Malibu Compound

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

Amanda Lynn Quietly Flips Kanye’s Abandoned Malibu Bunker Real estate agent Amanda Lynn, known for her on-screen presence in Selling...

Adult Great White Spotted Close to Shore in Santa Monica Waters

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

Shark Filmed Near Santa Monica Pier Just 50 Yards From Shore Rare footage of an adult great white shark swimming...

Heidi Klum’s Tropical Erewhon Smoothie Drops Just in Time for Summer

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

Supermodel’s Limited-Edition Drink Blends Kiwi, Coconut, and Matcha Erewhon has debuted its newest celebrity smoothie collaboration, this time with supermodel...

California Bolsters Firefighting Fleet Amid Federal Cuts

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

The transition, which began in 2020, equips the fleet with advanced technology, including a 1,000-gallon water capacity—nearly triple that of...

Big Blue Bus to Restore Service on Route to Palisades

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

The restoration is part of a broader summer service overhaul aimed at improving coverage across the Westside The Big Blue...

Fatal Crash Claims 9-Year-Old’s Life in Los Angeles

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was arrested for driving under the influence A tragic traffic...

Malibu Hires New City Manager: Ronda Perez to Lead as City Eyes Recovery and Rebuilding

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Veteran Public Administrator Ronda Perez Brings Nearly 20 Years of Experience to Malibu The Malibu City Council has voted unanimously...

Santa Monica Creates Film Office to Streamline Permitting and Production Services

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

New Agency Will Take Over From FilmLA After More Than a Decade Beginning September 1, 2025, film permit coordination in...

Santa Monica Pier Launches “PIERfect Benefit” Fundraiser Amid Recovery Efforts

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The gathering will feature food, signature cocktails, live entertainment, and a program reflecting the Pier’s history and future. Proceeds will...