Thread: Charlotte's Web

The kids took me to see Charlotte's Web yesterday afternoon. I have been a fan of E.B. White and particularly a fan of this book since I was a young child. This brilliantly written story has been somewhat mishandled before in screenplays.

This movie was wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable, and absolutely loyal to the principles at the core of White's masterpiece. The narrative seems to come straight from the book, though it's been a long while since I've read it. There is nothing offensive, though young children who are not familiar with the sometimes brutal realities of farm life may find some things a bit startling - and the story IS about life and death. More importantly, it is a story about love and friendship... and the power of words and value of promises.

It was a shock to me to find that not one of the four I was with - three kids and my wife - had ever read the book! They were all taken by surprise at the power of the story... they had no idea what it was really going to be about from whatever coming attractions they had been exposed to.