Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) and Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) become friends and create an imaginary land called Terabithia to forget about life’s problems.
Jess is an eleven-year-old boy who loves to run a lot and has dreams of being the fastest boy in the fifth grade when school starts in the fall. When he goes to race the other boys at recess a new girl, Leslie, boldly joins the race and ends up beating everyone. Although it upsets Jess that he lost the race, they become good friends after talking to each other. They build a secret land across the creek in the woods called Terabithia where they hang out all the time. As time goes on Jess’s music teacher, Miss Edmunds (Zooey Deschanel), invites him to spend the day touring the art galleries in Washington. Jess has the perfect day with his teacher until when he gets home he is told that Leslie drowned in the creek while trying to swing into Terabithia on the rope. Jess is completely devastated and is going through all the emotions of grief. He feels himself going back to who he was before he met Leslie which was filled with insecurity and fear. Eventually, he realizes that he can only keep Leslie’s memory alive by continuing their imaginary land they made together. He brings his little sister May Belle (Bailee Madison) to Terabithia to ensure that a part of Leslie will live on as well.
This movie was very emotional while also displaying a good message of the importance of friendship. Throughout this movie, Jess has a very hard life with bullies and his father making him seem unworthy. This was until Leslie showed him how to live with confidence and empowerment. They both lift each other up like, for example, on Christmas Jess gives Leslie a puppy and she gives him an expensive art set. This makes the movie so much more meaningful and shows how boys and girls can be the best of friends.
Not only this, but this movie also portrays grief when his best friend, Leslie, passed away. Jess, instead of being discouraged forever, decided to carry on the memory of his friend through the dream they had together which was Terabithia. This is a beautiful story that gives the message of honoring the memory of a loved one that passed away and how to deal with your grief in a healthy way. It also gives inspiration to people who are going through something similar to what Jess is experiencing.
Overall, this movie deserves a 10 out of 10 stars because of the emotional impact it leaves and how it displays the importance of friendships.
