Review: ‘Elio’ is a relatable kid with some unusual friends
‘Elio’ is a whimsical space adventure in which an alien and human boy overcome their despair through an unlikely friendship.
Belonging is a basic human need. People seek out community, searching for camaraderie amongst those with a shared interest or trauma. A child’s first sense of fitting in often occurs at home where their immediate family loves and supports them. But interrupting this sense of safety and protection can have a significant impact on a kid. Other adults may try to recreate their refuge, but this can be a difficult task. Instead, the child may dream of an imaginary haven that will accept them — if they could just get there. In Elio, an orphaned child is convinced his place is amongst the stars.
Eleven-year-old Elio (Yonas Kibreab) tragically lost his parents and is now the responsibility of his Aunt Olga (Zoe Saldaña), who’s had to pause her astronaut training to care for him. When Elio learns NASA is attempting to make first contact, he becomes convinced being abducted by aliens would be better than his life on Earth. He devotes all his free (and not so free) time to trying to contact extraterrestrials, while Olga struggles to connect with him. Then, it finally happens: Elio’s message is transmitted to an intergalactic council known as the Communiverse and they invite him to join their ranks. There, he meets Glordon (Remy Edgerly), an alien boy overwhelmed by the pressure to follow in his father’s warrior footsteps.
This is a vivid picture that’s full of bright colours. The opulent, galactic headquarters boasts sci-fi wonders, such as an adorable liquid supercomputer that can answer any question and a device that can control the wearer’s temperature and gravity, as well as translate any language into their native tongue. The unconventional structures are as vibrant as the aliens that welcome Elio. They come in many unfamiliar shapes and sizes, and some have special abilities, like telepathy. It does initially appear to be a wondrous paradise — until the bubble bursts and Elio’s diplomatic inexperience comes to light as the Communiverse faces an imminent threat.
At its heart, the film is about two boys facing different challenges in their home lives. Elio is grieving and feels like a burden on his aunt, who wasn’t prepared for the responsibility of raising a child and isn’t entirely sure how to support Elio during this difficult transition. Glordon is a sensitive kid trying to be the tough son his father wants, even though he has no interest in being a warlord like his dad (Brad Garrett). Having not yet mastered problem solving, their first tactic is to avoid their troubles by spending the day exploring and having fun, away from the adults with whom they can’t share their feelings. Of course, that only creates bigger problems and requires the help of the grown-ups from whom they were running away.
Even though Disney can’t stop orphaning its young protagonists, there is a positive message about family and honesty in the end. There’s also a scene that recalls Hackers (1995) in which ham radio enthusiasts from around the world tag in and lend a hand to guide the heroes to victory. Though one has to wonder how Olga will explain her unauthorized space travels to her superiors.
Directors: Adrian Molina, Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña and Remy Edgerly
