Chris Sanders, director of the box office hit Wild Robot, says the film has an inspiring message about family, parenting, and adoption. The movie is based on a bestselling book. "Peter Brown's book had the most wonderful, wonderful story with such a great message infused into it," he said.
Any story about a robot raising a gosling naturally touches on themes of adoption. However, The Wild Robot brings these ideas to the forefront, discussing them openly and directly.
"You're not my mom," Brightbill tells Roz halfway through the film when he encounters a flock of geese and compares them to the robot who raised him.
Brightbill faces bullying because of his unusual upbringing and longs for the sense of "normal" he believes his mother, brothers, and sisters, who died in an accident, would have provided.
"They were my chance to swim, to fly. What even am I?" he asks.
Though her heart is broken, Roz remains steadfast in her commitment to Brightbill. As best she can, she teaches him to fly and prepares him to migrate. She also discovers that not every challenge can be solved through careful planning—sometimes, it takes patience, endurance, and sacrifice. Most of all, it takes love.
"How do you know if you love something, someone?" Roz asks Fink.
"If you do, you should probably tell them," Fink responds.
Eventually, Brightbill's heart, too, changes. He sees Roz not as a cold, mechanical robot but as the loving mother who did her best to raise him.
The Wild Robot is a poignant parable about family, reminding us that parenting is a worthwhile journey, patience is essential, and love can transcend biological bonds.
Read more about The Wild Robot here!
Photo Credit: ©Dream Works