Movie Wednesday: Bridge to Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithia isn’t a nice, simple movie you can unwind with. It’s the sort of film that breaks your heart, mends it again, and leaves you with tears in your eyes. It’s not the easiest film to watch, but it’s absolutely worth watching.
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Jess lives a fairly ordinary life. He goes to school, avoids bullies, argues with his parents, and draws in his bedroom. But his life becomes extraordinary when a girl called Leslie moves in next door. She’s rich, outgoing, and an only child, everything Jess isn’t. Despite their differences, they become firm friends, and when they find a way into the woods near their homes and discover an abandoned treehouse, they create an entirely new world for themselves: Terabithia.
In Terabithia, they can do anything they want—right trolls, beat bullies, run as fast as the wind. But when tragedy strikes, all of Terabithia’s magic might not be enough to heal a broken heart.
This family film is sweet without bring sentimental, heart-breaking without being despondent, and uplifting without being cheesy. Give it a watch!
Discussion Questions
- If you’ve read the original book by Katherine Paterson, how do you think the film compares to it? Is it a faithful adaptation? Share a few examples to support your answer.
- Describe Jess and May Belle’s father.
- Leslie tells Jess, “Close your eyes, but keep your mind wide open.” What do you think this means?
- Was it selfish of Jess to go on the field trip with Ms. Edmunds without Leslie? Why or why not.
- Were Jess and Leslie being sensible to play in the woods by themselves without anyone knowing? Would you let your children do that? Explain.
- What might have happened if Jess and Leslie had never met?
