The Wonder movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Wonder

This intriguing drama opened in theaters on November 2, 2022 and will then be featured on Netflix on November 16^th.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 48 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

Set in The Irish Midlands in 1862, the story follows a young girl who stops eating but remains miraculously alive and well. English nurse, Lib Wright, is brought to a tiny village to observe eleven-year-old Anna O’Donnell. Tourists and pilgrims mass to witness the girl who is said to have survived without food for months. Is the village harboring a saint surviving on “manna from heaven” or are there more ominous motives at work?

The film was directed by Sebastian Lelio who also co-wrote it with Alice Birch, based on the novel by Emma Donoghue.

THINGS I LIKED:

I’m such a fan of Florence Pugh. She is such a fearless actress who consistently stuns audiences with what she is able to bring to a script. As expected, she’s fantastic in this role.
What a unique opening scene. The ending is similar. Many film critics hate out-of-place, unnecessary bookends. I thought they were interesting and I liked the idea.
The musical undertones are quirky and unsettling, adding to the mysterious intrigue.
Before I saw this movie, I had heard of a case in the news about another person in India who was able to live for years without eating. Fascinating. Apparently, there was a phenomenon in the Victorian era where pre-adolescent girls would go a long time without eating, claiming to have special religious powers. Some were found to be frauds. Others might have been diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa today.
The sets are completely believable, featuring the beautiful, harsh landscapes of Ireland.
I love details in movies, such as the muddy stains on the bottom of the women’s dresses.
I teach classes at a nursing college, so I always appreciate films that portray nurses as competent and compassionate.
I don’t know which lesson writer Emma Donaghue wanted us to learn from her story, but it made me think about the issues of gender identity that are happening in our country nowadays with children. Do we let children make life-altering decisions about their bodies or is it the duty of parents to step in? What do YOU think? Comment below!

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It’s a bit of a slow burn.
Very religious people might be offended at the accusation that their faith is being mocked.
I didn’t buy the romantic connection between two of the characters.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

A woman uses opium (a drug)
We see some bloody, gory moments
Some profanity, including an F-bomb
Two clothed people have sex while standing up. We see movement and facial expressions but no skin.

THEMES:

Fasting
Faith
Logic
Miracles
Religion vs. Science
Love of a family
Grief
Patriarchy
Power over one’s body
Widows
A woman pricks her finger and tastes the blood every day
Child abuse
Salvation
Second chances
Parenting

FUNNY LINES:

None. This is a serious drama

INTERESTING LINES:

“We are nothing without stories.” – the narrator
“The very best, He takes early to be his angels.” – Rosaleen O’Donnell (Elaine Cassidy)
“Anyone can be chosen: saints or sinners.” – Anna O’Donnell (Kila Lord Cassidy)
“A mother’s kiss is sacred.” – Rosaleen O’Donnell (Elaine Cassidy)
“Love requires some action, some intervention, at some point.” – Lib Wright (Florence Pugh)
“It is a whole sorrowful world that’s too hungry to see the wonder in every ordinary child.” – Kitty (Niamh Algar)