Transfiguring Adoption’s Overview:
The One and Only Ivan is the newest movie to release straight to Disney+ and tells the story of Ivan the gorilla and his group of quirky animal friends who are all part of a circus attraction in a rundown suburban mall. The owner, Mack, goes through several different schemes to try and save the circus including a discovery that Ivan knows how to draw! The movie is based on a novel by the same name, which is in turn based on a true story (which we learn a little about during the credits).
I personally really enjoyed the movie. It was very pretty to watch and had a good balance of humor and poignancy. And there was very little violence, language, etc. making this a good choice for even fairly young children! That said, however, it was also emotionally difficult for me to watch at times, and I say that as an adult who did not experience significant loss in childhood. For children who have experienced this type of trauma, I imagine it would be even sadder for them as there is a LOT of caregiver loss portrayed throughout the film. The movie does technically have a happy ending, but even that is bittersweet. As an animal lover it was also challenging to see the animals being kept in captivity at the circus (though they are mostly well cared-for). Therefore, children on the more sensitive end of the spectrum might also be upset by this. It’s definitely one I would recommend watching together so that…
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** Spoilers Could Be Ahead **
About the Author: Jenn Ehlers
Jenn is a central Virginia native who received her BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia in 2012. Since then she has worked for a local mental health agency and the Department of Social Services in various capacities and has been involved in her community’s efforts to create a Trauma Informed Network. Currently Jenn works in vocational rehab and mentors youth in foster care. When she isn’t working, Jenn enjoys writing stories, anything and everything Harry Potter, and spending time with her niece and nephew.
**Transfiguring Adoption is a nonprofit organization seeking to nurture growth in foster and adoptive families by giving a HOOT about their families. Transfiguring Adoption does not intend for its reviewers nor its review to be professional, medical or legal advice. These reviews and discussion guides are intended to help parents to better be able to connect and understand their children who come from traumatic backgrounds.
