


Sibling rivalry and the blame game give way to true partnership and protectiveness among the Grace children. Additionally, a long separation between Lucinda and her father is shown to have had negative effects on her, and their eventual reunion is presented as a healing event. They end up recognizing that she possesses special wisdom that’s essential to them in their quest. Rather than buying into the commonly held belief that elderly Lucinda Spiderwick is crazy, the children choose to dig deeper into the mystery that surrounds her house. Mom apologizes to him for not being as forthcoming with the truth as she should have been. Later, he deeply regrets his words and apologizes. In a heated argument, Jared tells his mom that he hates her and doesn’t want to live with her. Jared especially is shown to need and want his father’s presence and affection, and he’s clearly crushed when he realizes that Dad has chosen to abandon the family.įilmmakers also use the subplot of the fracturing family to highlight relationship growth. The children’s different emotional responses are explored, and it’s clear that the parental discord that led to the divorce is bad for them.

The Spiderwick Chronicles does a respectable job of treating the divorce issue with depth and sensitivity. Jared, Simon and Mallory are forced to rise above their circumstances to protect Great-Great-Uncle Arthur’s most important secrets-secrets about this fantasy world that could impact the wellbeing of all humanity. Why? There’s a treasure in the house that the baddies will go to great lengths to procure. Goblins and ogres are kept away by an invisible force field placed around the house by Lucinda’s father, Arthur Spiderwick. Ultimately, he makes a startling discovery: The Grace family’s property and the neighboring woods are inhabited by thousands of magical creatures including benign brownies, fairies and sprites. Jared is the first to become curious and start exploring, but his prowling around only results in heightened family tension. There are noises that can’t be explained. Soon after the Grace children arrive at their new abode, they discover that there’s more to the house-and to Great-Aunt Lucinda’s insanity-than meets the eye. It’s not a judgment,” insists one of the twins.) The subtle odor is understandable, given that Helen Grace has inherited the place from her Aunt Lucinda, a sweet 86-year-old who appears to have lost her marbles and now resides in a nearby sanatorium. Their parents are divorcing and they’re moving away from New York City to live in a creepy old house that smells like old people. Twins Jared and Simon Grace and their older sister Mallory already have it rough.
