By CYNTHIA BIDDLECOMB
Los Alamos
“Sketch” is a new family movie about the potential for a kid’s imaginative drawings to help them exorcise their grief. Angel Studios, which produces many of today’s feel-good movies, put this one on the screen, realizing in 93 minutes, all the messy color of the story.
The film is written and directed by Seth Worley, his first feature film, and it has already had some award nominations. Worley based “Sketch” on his 2020 short film “Darker Colors”, which tells the same story. In this film, he blends live action and animation as young Amber’s sketches come to life. The subject matter, which, in different hands, could be scary or too sad, is balanced just right, a delight for the eyes, even as chaos reigns.
Amber Wyatt (Bianca Belle) lives with her brother Jack (Kue Lawrence) and their father, Taylor (Tony Hale, from Veep). Since the death of his wife, Taylor hopes to sell the house with the help of his realtor sister Liz (D’Arcy Carden, from The Good Place). But life as a single parent keeps getting in the way of a sale.
Young Amber has always drawn pictures. She has lots of art supplies for her habit. But a recent drawing she made of a monster slicing into an annoying kid from class named Bowman (Kaylon Cox) was snatched from her by Bowman. Next thing she knows, her dad is called to the school office and Amber gets to talk to the school counselor.
Taylor, it seems, isn’t handling the family grief all that well. Young Jack wants to fix things; he has found healing properties in a magical pond nearby. But Jack’s plans go awry when Amber’s disturbing sketch book ends up in the water. Soon, the monsters from Amber’s imagination start coming to life, emerging from the pond, and terrorizing everyone. It is up to Amber and Jack, and the annoying Bowman, to fight the creatures that keep attacking.
Sketch could be viewed as a lightweight “monster movie” for children. For adults, it is more of an exploration of the power of the imagination to give kids agency in life, especially when faced with grief.
Sketch is “Rated PG for scary action, some violence, thematic elements, language and rude humor.” Ominous music and scary monster sounds in the film might be more than a sensitive, young child can take. Older elementary kids, the age of Amber, Jack and their friends, and anyone older might have fun with this creative film.
In Los Alamos, Sketch is showing through Aug. 17 at SALA Event Center. Check out sala.losalamos.com, for the schedule.