With The Willoughbys, writer/director Kris Pearn adapted a beloved children’s book of the same name by Lois Lowry, looking to be as faithful as possible to the “subversive” nature of her story, while bringing to it his own personal touch.
Pearn’s second feature, following 2013’s Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2, centers on the Willoughby children, who grew up with parents who could not be more disinterested in them. Exploring the sometimes-wide gap between the families we’re born into and those we choose, it watches as the kids send their selfish guardians off on vacation, setting off on a globetrotting adventure and forging new connections.
In conversation with Deadline, Pearn breaks down his narrative and visual approach to the feature—which debuted on Netflix last April—a clever, darkly comedic parable, through which he hoped to say “something real.”
Deadline: How did you come to direct The Willoughbys?...
Pearn’s second feature, following 2013’s Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2, centers on the Willoughby children, who grew up with parents who could not be more disinterested in them. Exploring the sometimes-wide gap between the families we’re born into and those we choose, it watches as the kids send their selfish guardians off on vacation, setting off on a globetrotting adventure and forging new connections.
In conversation with Deadline, Pearn breaks down his narrative and visual approach to the feature—which debuted on Netflix last April—a clever, darkly comedic parable, through which he hoped to say “something real.”
Deadline: How did you come to direct The Willoughbys?...
- 3/2/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Willoughbys” has been a hit for Netflix ever since it started streaming last spring. This animated film won over both critics and audiences with its wry tale of four children who set out to be orphans because of their neglectful parents. Now we are predicting that “The Willoughbys” could contend for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.
This screen version of the beloved children’s book by Lois Lowry merits a perfect score of 100% from the top critics polled at Rotten Tomatoes. Their consensus: “An appealing animated adventure whose silliness is anchored in genuine emotion offers fanciful fun the entire family can enjoy.”
Among those praising the picture was Natalia Winkelman of The New York Times who thought the film “thrives when it embraces its grim plot and lets mischief reign.” David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter observed, “it has an oddball charm that works surprisingly well.” And Peter Debruge...
This screen version of the beloved children’s book by Lois Lowry merits a perfect score of 100% from the top critics polled at Rotten Tomatoes. Their consensus: “An appealing animated adventure whose silliness is anchored in genuine emotion offers fanciful fun the entire family can enjoy.”
Among those praising the picture was Natalia Winkelman of The New York Times who thought the film “thrives when it embraces its grim plot and lets mischief reign.” David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter observed, “it has an oddball charm that works surprisingly well.” And Peter Debruge...
- 1/28/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Netflix is claiming that 37.6 million households watched The Willoughbys animated film in its first month of release via the streamer.
The family feature, narrated and executive produced by Ricky Gervais, tells the story of a family of children convinced they’d be better off raising themselves. Thus, the Willoughby children hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on vacation. The siblings then embark on their own adventure to find the true meaning of family.
Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Terry Crews and Gervais are the voices of the feature, which is based on a story by Lois Lowry. Kim Pearn (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2) and Cory Evans direct, with Pearn getting co-writing credit with Mark Stanleigh.
A short clip also circulated on social media along with the numbers tout.
37.6 million families met The Willoughbys over the last 4 weeks. Don’t miss out...
The family feature, narrated and executive produced by Ricky Gervais, tells the story of a family of children convinced they’d be better off raising themselves. Thus, the Willoughby children hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on vacation. The siblings then embark on their own adventure to find the true meaning of family.
Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Terry Crews and Gervais are the voices of the feature, which is based on a story by Lois Lowry. Kim Pearn (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2) and Cory Evans direct, with Pearn getting co-writing credit with Mark Stanleigh.
A short clip also circulated on social media along with the numbers tout.
37.6 million families met The Willoughbys over the last 4 weeks. Don’t miss out...
- 5/23/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
2020 has proven to be an interesting time for animation. Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic closed down movie theaters, the entire film industry has had to recalibrate. Right now, animated fare is thriving, thanks to families being desperate for new things to watch at home. Trolls World Tour had a VOD debut, Onward has been a bigger hit on Digital and Disney+ than it was in theaters, and so on. This week, Netflix joins in with one of their big animated pushes for 2020 in The Willoughbys. A bright and manic flick, it has moments of lively fun and will enthrall younger audience members. As for adults? Well, it won’t be a chore to sit through, at least. The movie is an animated adventure, centering on the title family, and in particular, the children. Narrated by The Cat (voice of Ricky Gervais), we learn of the plight of the youngest Willoughbys.
- 4/23/2020
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
The official trailer for the upcoming Netflix animated film, The Willoughbys, starring Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Sean Cullen, and Ricky Gervais has finally been released and you can see it right here on CinemaNerdz!
Convinced they’d be better off raising themselves, the Willoughby children hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on vacation. The siblings then embark on their own high-flying adventure to find the true meaning of family.
About The Film
Director/Writer: Kris Pearn Writers: Kris Pearn & Mark Stanleigh Based On: “The Willoughbys” by Lois Lowry Cast: Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Séan Cullen, Ricky Gervais
The Willoughbys
will be released by Netflix on April 22, 2020!
For More Information, visit the film on:
Official Site
#TheWilloughbys / @NetflixFilm...
Convinced they’d be better off raising themselves, the Willoughby children hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on vacation. The siblings then embark on their own high-flying adventure to find the true meaning of family.
About The Film
Director/Writer: Kris Pearn Writers: Kris Pearn & Mark Stanleigh Based On: “The Willoughbys” by Lois Lowry Cast: Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Séan Cullen, Ricky Gervais
The Willoughbys
will be released by Netflix on April 22, 2020!
For More Information, visit the film on:
Official Site
#TheWilloughbys / @NetflixFilm...
- 3/23/2020
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
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