Turning Red: A Refreshing but Flawed Look at Puberty and Female Identity
Pixar’s Turning Red, the studio’s third original film centering on a female character, is a bold step towards greater diversity and representation in animation. While the film boasts a refreshing perspective, a compelling coming-of-age story, and a delightful soundtrack, its narrative ultimately feels underdeveloped, leaving a sense of missed potential.
A Fresh Perspective on Puberty and Female Emotions
Turning Red tackles the tumultuous journey of puberty through the lens of Meilin "Mei" Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl navigating the complexities of adolescence. The film, written by Oscar-winning director Domee Shi and playwright Julia Cho, explores a universal theme of growing up, but with a uniquely female perspective. Mei’s journey is not only about navigating the physical changes of puberty but also grappling with the clash between her desire for independence and her family’s traditional expectations.
Turning Red challenges the often-criticized stereotype of women being "too emotional" by embracing and celebrating Mei’s emotions. Her transformation into a giant red panda whenever she experiences overwhelming feelings serves as a powerful metaphor for the physical and emotional rollercoaster of puberty. This aspect shines a light on the often-overlooked struggles of female adolescence, showing how emotional intensity is not a weakness but a natural part of being a young woman.
A Lack of Depth in Supporting Characters and Themes
Despite its promising premise, Turning Red suffers from a lack of depth in its supporting characters and themes. While the film touches upon the generational impact of cultural expectations and the burden of honoring family traditions, it doesn’t delve as deeply into these themes as it could.
Mei’s friends, despite being diverse in ethnicity and background, also feel underdeveloped. Their personalities and backstories remain largely unexplored, reducing them to mere plot devices. This surface-level treatment of diversity feels like a missed opportunity to explore the complexities of female friendships within a multicultural context.
A Strong Start With a Lackluster Ending
Turning Red starts off strong, capturing the awkward and endearing moments of teenage life. Mei’s struggle to balance her desire to fit in with her friends and her sense of responsibility to her family is relatable and engaging. The film cleverly uses comedic elements, such as the hilarious cleaning montage involving Mei and her mother, to highlight the universal experience of adolescent cringe and social anxieties.
However, the movie loses momentum in its second act. The narrative relies too heavily on action and fantasy tropes, sacrificing the emotional depth that initially drew audiences in. Turning Red’s ending, while delivering a succinct message about embracing one’s true self, feels rushed and simplistic. It feels like the film could have benefited from further development and exploration of its themes, leaving some viewers feeling unsatisfied.
A Missed Opportunity for Pixar’s Next Generation of Storytellers
Turning Red represents a milestone for Pixar, highlighting the studio’s commitment to diversifying both its stories and its filmmaking team. However, the film’s shortcomings are a reminder of the challenges filmmakers face in making the leap from short films to feature-length projects. While Domee Shi‘s unique vision and creative talent are undeniable, Turning Red suggests that she still has room to grow as a storyteller.
The film also represents a challenge for Pixar as a whole. The studio has long been known for its groundbreaking storytelling and emotional resonance. However, the recent trend of shorter runtimes and less impactful narratives, as seen in Turning Red, raises concerns about the future direction of Pixar’s storytelling.
Turning Red: A Step in the Right Direction, But Still Work to Be Done
While Turning Red may not be a groundbreaking achievement for Pixar, it is a significant step in the right direction. The film’s female-centric narrative, its exploration of female emotions, and its diverse cast are important steps towards a more inclusive future for animation. However, Turning Red also serves as a reminder that representation alone is not enough. A compelling story requires depth, intricate character development, and nuanced exploration of themes.
Turning Red is a fun and engaging watch, but it ultimately falls short of the emotional impact and lasting resonance of many of its Pixar predecessors. With a few more rewrites and a deeper dive into its themes, Turning Red could have been a truly groundbreaking story. Instead, it leaves us hoping that Pixar will continue to push the boundaries of storytelling and embrace diversity with even greater depth and sensitivity in future films.
