A journey through grief and imagination: Exploring ‘Sketch’
Introduction
Since the untimely death of her mother, 10-year-old Amber Wyatt (played by Bianca Belle) has been haunted by dark thoughts. Rather than acting on these impulses, Amber channels her anxieties into a secret journal, transforming her fears into art. This therapeutic process takes a gnarly twist when her drawings come to life, unleashing a series of fantastical and terrifying creatures into the real world.
The creative vision behind ‘Sketch’
In his feature debut, Seth Worley brings a unique blend of live-action and CG animation to life with ‘Sketch’. This indie family adventure combines the imaginative spirit of ‘Jumanji’ with the psychological depth of ‘The Babadook’, delivering a poignant message about dealing with grief and strong emotions. Worley’s background in commercials shines through in the film’s inventive visual effects, which serve as a vehicle for a valuable lesson on emotional resilience.
The plot thickens
The story takes a dark turn when Amber sketches a sinister version of herself attacking a classmate, Bowman (Kalon Cox). Bowman isn’t a typical bully; he’s more of an obnoxious neighbor, reminiscent of Chunk from ‘The Goonies’. When Amber is sent to the counselor’s office, she expects punishment but is instead advised to channel her anger into a private composition book. This advice, while well-intentioned, sets off a chain of events that brings her drawings to life.
The magical pond
Amber’s older brother, Jack (Kue Lawrence), discovers a peculiar feature of the pond behind their home. Anything thrown into the water is magically repaired. Jack tests this with his phone and a broken plate, and he’s even tempted to try it with their mother’s ashes. However, when Amber’s notebook accidentally falls into the pond, her sketches come to life, wreaking havoc on their small town.
The battle against Amber’s creations
Worley cleverly uses Amber’s rudimentary drawings to keep the special effects grounded. The creatures, made from various art supplies, are vulnerable to heat and physical attacks. The family, including their aunt Liz (D’Arcy Carden), finds themselves covered in crayon wax, chalk dust, and glitter as they battle these whimsical yet dangerous creations.
The ultimate challenge
Amber’s most formidable creation is a dark version of herself, drawn in sharp graphite and colored in a purple hoodie. This adversary is far more menacing than the other creatures, which range from the comical “Tattler” to a Lovecraftian tentacle cat. Some sketches, like the one leaving yellow dust on Amber’s window, are even benevolent.
A family affair
‘Sketch’ operates on a level of logic that young viewers will find intuitive, encouraging them to problem-solve alongside the characters. The film is reminiscent of ‘The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl’, a project that also involved the creator’s children. Worley’s personal touch is evident, with family drawings mixed in with Amber’s darker creations.
From short to feature
Driven by the belief that this personal project could resonate with a wide audience, Worley initially created a 12-minute proof-of-concept short called ‘Darker Colors’. The feature-length version of ‘Sketch’ is warmer and funnier, evoking the charm of ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ in its resolution.
The didactic side
Worley doesn’t shy away from the film’s educational aspect. In Tony Hale, who plays Amber’s father Taylor, he finds an actor who brings a humble, relatable presence to the role. Both Worley and Hale, as fathers, craft a story that suggests kids and adults have much to learn from each other and that some challenges are best faced together as a family.
Coping with loss
Each character in ‘Sketch’ deals with the loss of Amber’s mother in different ways. Taylor’s approach of removing all photos and pretending nothing is wrong contrasts sharply with Amber’s artistic outlet. Fortunately, Taylor is open to communicating with his children, providing a model for grown-ups on how to discuss difficult topics and offering valuable takeaways for both kids and adults.
Watch the trailer
For a sneak peek into this imaginative and heartfelt adventure, check out the Sketch trailer.
Final thoughts
‘Sketch’ is more than just a family adventure; it’s a touching exploration of grief, creativity, and the power of art to heal. With its unique blend of humor, heart, and imaginative visuals, it offers a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences of all ages. Whether you’re a fan of cinema, TV series, or music, ‘Sketch’ provides a rich, multi-layered experience that invites viewers to reflect on their own emotions and the ways they cope with life’s challenges.