Onward

I have trouble recalling many films that have brought me to tears in the past. I know for sure that I'm not capable of getting through the climax of Click without breaking down into a puddle of tears. I'll have to add Onward onto that brief list going forward (or going.. onward?.. dad jokes have to be allowed here, okay?). At the core of this film is an incredibly simple and emotionally powerful message. When watching Onward, you get the feeling that this story is deeply personal to its creator. And indeed a quick search confirms, unfortunately, that the film is directly inspired by writer-director Dan Scanlon's personal experiences. The film initially pitches itself as a fantasy adventure, presenting a mystical world in which a young man can bring his father back to life through the use of magic. But in the end, the story is about emotionally coming to terms with the fact that that isn't possible in our reality. The film's narrative is ultimately incredibly straightforward, but that's not the point of Onward, the point is the message. That message is delivered masterfully and beautifully.