‘Fing!’ Review: Roald Dahl Meets E.T. in Jeffrey Walker’s Classical Tale of a Problem Child and Her Lovable Creature

In "Fing!", Jeffrey Walker's whimsical and wondrous film, the quirky surname of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Meek (Blake Harrison and Mia Wasikowska) couldn't be more aptly fitting. This affable couple, consisting of two geeky, modest librarians who are utterly unassuming, meet under the nose of their odious employer and fall head over heels for each other. Their life together is a heartwarming montage of harmony and books that they share with little Myrtle, who surprisingly turns out to be anything but mild-mannered.

As the story unfolds, we find out that Myrtle (Iona Bell) has grown into an exceptionally disagreeable child, always bossing her parents around for more and throwing tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants. Her Meeks, who are usually at a loss to deal with her antics, usually manage to grant her wishes to keep the peace, making them seem like they're teaching her how not to raise a child.

While "Fing!" has some fantastical elements that evoke Roald Dahl's timeless classics, its portrayal of parental guidance feels refreshingly modern and focused on kid-centric parenting. The Meeks' approach seems too lenient for Myrtle's sake, as her transformation into a responsible kid doesn't quite follow logically. Would she have changed so soon if her parents had consistently called out her bad behavior? Perhaps.

However, "Fing!" is undeniably a spirited and delightful pleasure to watch, especially when it tackles themes of wholesome kids with unadulterated priorities versus unsympathetic grown-ups who don't understand them. When the brown, single-eyed fur ball Fing enters the scene, everything changes for Myrtle, as she starts forming a deep bond with this enigmatic creature. As they embark on an adventurous journey together, the film becomes a charming, Spielbergian adventure that will leave you rooting for these lovable misfits.

With its picture-book costumes by Amelia Gebler and production design that dresses up every detail in gorgeously fantastical ways, "Fing!" is a colorful universe of lovably weird touches. The Viscount (Taika Waititi), the ruthless and wealthy animal expert who seeks to exploit Fing for his own gain, adds a layer of dark humor to an otherwise bright film.

Ultimately, while "Fing!" may not be perfect in its portrayal of Myrtle's character arc, it remains a spirited and enjoyable tale that will delight audiences of all ages.
 
I gotta disagree with this whole review 🤦‍♂️. I mean, who wants to watch a film where the parents are basically doormats to their kid? That's not exactly inspiring or relatable. I love how they're trying to make it look modern and all that, but really it just comes across as lazy parenting. And don't even get me started on Myrtle's transformation - if her parents were actually teaching her some discipline and boundaries, she wouldn't be a spoiled brat in like 2 seconds 🙄. The film tries to pass off its lack of discipline as "kid-centric parenting", but I see it for what it is: a cop-out. And the Viscount is just a funny character that's supposed to make up for the rest of the movie's shortcomings 😂. Overall, I think "Fing!" is just a fun, lighthearted film that doesn't really try to tackle any real issues, and that's kinda its problem 🎥
 
OMG 😂 I just watched this new movie "Fing!" and I'm still grinning from ear to ear! 🤩 It's like they took all the best bits of Roald Dahl's classics and mashed them together with some seriously adorable animation 🎨. The way the parents, Christopher & Meek, try to navigate their kid's tantrums is so relatable... my own kiddo does that to me all the time 🤣! But what really got me was the bond between Myrtle and Fing - it's like they say "you can't choose your family" but you can totally choose your furry BFFs 🐾❤️. And don't even get me started on the Viscount, what a hilarious villain! 👊
 
I dont know why people still watch this type of movies 🤔 they just make kids look like spoiled brats and parents as idiots 😒 the Meeks just enable their daughter's bad behavior left and right, its not exactly teaching her how to be responsible 👎 but hey, if it makes kids laugh and adults smile then im good with that 😊
 
I agree with the reviewer that the Meeks' approach to parenting does feel a bit too lenient at times... I mean, can't they just set some boundaries for once? 🤔 But I also think it's great how the film balances whimsy and adventure with more realistic moments of frustration and exhaustion. And let's be real, who wouldn't want a furry best friend like Fing to turn their kid's life around? 😊 The production design in this film is just wow! It's so colorful and immersive... I love how they brought the whole world of Fing to life 🌈💫
 
I think the movie is cute but also kinda weird 🤔. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a film about a couple who just roll with their kid's tantrums no matter what? It's like they're giving her an unfair advantage 😂. But for real though, the way it handles kids being misunderstood and needing patience is pretty great ❤️. And that Fur-baby Fing is a total scene-stealer 🐻👀. The whole production design thingy is so colorful and fun to look at 🎨. Still, I'm not sure if Myrtle's character development feels super realistic or just convenient 🤷‍♀️.
 
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