Film Explore Themes of Grief via Art.

by Rosa Parra

“Sketch” is written and directed by Seth Worley and stars Tony Hale, D’Arcy Carden, Bianca Belle, Kue Lawrence, Kalon Cox, Randa Newman, and Allie McCulloch. The film follows Amber and her father as they navigate their grief after the passing of her mother. When Amber’s sketchbook falls into a lake, her drawings come to life and cause chaos in the community.

I had seen some advance footage of this movie during Cinemacon’s Angel Studios presentation and was slightly taken aback by its lack of religious themes. The film stood out as a nonconventional coming-of-age story aimed at both kids and adults, so I was eager to check it out!

Watching the film was a pleasant surprise. It offers a unique, creative, and imaginative approach to dealing with grief. Amber captures the attention of her teacher and the principal when one of her drawings is particularly violent and dark in nature. Instead of being diagnosed with a mental disorder, she is given a powerful alternative. Her counselor unexpectedly supports her for having the courage to express her feelings through drawing rather than acting on them. As part of her coping mechanism, she creates monsters, spiders, and unorthodox creatures that may have the capacity to scare others but do so in a non-malicious manner. However, some creatures intend to injure others in a graphic manner.

What’s fascinating about this story is that all these intrusive thoughts come to life most colorfully and beautifully. Although the thoughts themselves can be dark, they are portrayed through a child’s imagination and innocence. This film feels similar to “Inside Out,” but rather than focusing solely on maturation, the protagonist navigates her grief, and her emotions are brought to life in a way reminiscent of “Jurassic Park.” Visually, the film is a stunning array of colors, textures, shapes, and imagination. The visual effects are impressive, especially considering the budget, and the sound design does an excellent job of enhancing the creatures and their impact. From the sound of wings flapping against a window to the rumbling roars echoing through the woods, every detail is effective.

The performances in the film were excellent, with the young actors successfully depicting childhood friendships, sibling dynamics, and parent-child relationships. There are humorous moments that resonate because they tap into the characters’ innocence and naivety. Tony Hale and D’Arcy Carden deliver strong performances as the adult leads. Hale’s portrayal of Amber’s and Jack’s father effectively captures a man who is trying his best as a single father while grappling with his grief over his wife’s death.

Overall, “Sketch” is a refreshing and imaginative exploration of family, grief, and how art can serve as a coping mechanism. It offers a family-friendly take on a heavy subject matter.

Rating: 9/10.