Wolf Children explores parenthood in a raw and truthful way. I watched Wolf Children, and I saw a mother working her soul to the grind to support and care for her children. This mother sacrifices everything, and I experienced her struggle right alongside her. I watched her move metaphorically mountains in scene after scene. I wanted to reach out and help her. Maybe I could just watch the kids for a day or something. It's the least I could do. But the movie wouldn't let me. I felt so tangibly the immense burden on her shoulders.
As the movie goes on, I watched this mother's children find their own path. I began to see them rebel against the expectations of their mother and the world. When they began doing stupid things and abandoning their mother, I got angry. I found myself, for a fleeting moment, wanting to entreat these kids to consider their actions, "Do you know what she's done for you?! You can't abandon her. You will love her. You will do what I want you to do!" This isn't parenthood. I know many a parent who thinks it is, but this movie and the mother in it know better. Parenthood is sacrifice. These beings you've nurtured and given everything to will leave you, and it's not your place to stop them. You can't control them. You have to let them go. You have to give them the freedom to live their life and support them when they need you. Wolf Children is powerful.