What Is the Story About?
Adapted from a screenplay by Emma Donoghue, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Donoghue, The Wonder follows an English nurse, Elizabeth “Lib” Wright, who is sent to a rural village in 1862 Ireland. She is given the responsibility of observing a young girl ‘Anna’ who has not eaten for months and has been very much alive and kicking. Sceptical about the whole ‘miracle girl’ label the church has tamped Anna with, Lib observes and investigates the potential hidden secret behind Anna’s supposed ‘gift’. The turn of events that ensue changes everything for Lib and Anna.
Performances?
Florence Pugh propels ‘The Wonder’. She is the soul, shine, heart and mind of the film. She is the human manifestation of reasoning in a regressive village of superstition and religious obsession. She is stubborn and affectionate, as much as she is helpless and confused. The whole film plays through Pugh’s face and controlled movement of her eyes. Her scepticism, her knowledge and will to expose an unpleasant secret is everything more than believable. Pugh is brilliantly supported onscreen by Kíla Lord Cassidy who plays the child ‘Anna’ in an exceptional onscreen debut.
Analysis
Directed by Sebastián Lelio from a screenplay by Emma Donoghue, Lelio, and Alice Birch, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Donoghue, The Wonder is a psychological period mystery drama that walks a tight-rope disbanding delusion and faith. It’s an empirical synthesis on what counts for belief and obsession.
‘The Wonder‘ begins with a voiceover that asks the audience to believe in the power of story. The visuals are of a film-set. The narrator clearly wants us to buy the story be it real Or cooked up. We are then introduced to Florence Pugh’s Lib, a hard-working nurse of expertise who is tasked to watch over a ‘miracle child’ in Ireland. She is a widow and is also suffering from postpartum trauma. She is experienced, knowledgeable and vigilant. Her work-finesse, up her sleeves and confidence on her face.
Lib doesn’t buy the miracle story. She is sceptic of the claims that Anna, the miracle child hasn’t eaten anything for months and is surviving on ‘Manna of Heaven’ under the garb of being the chosen one. What follows is Lib trying to dig under the roots to find out the truth behind Anna’s ability to live without eating. The more deeper she delves into the mystery, the more tangled and unpleasant it gets. As she continues to investigate the reasoning behind the happenings, she befriends Anna and William, a local who eventually became a Journalist.
One of the strongest assets of the film is getting Florence Pugh on-board as the Nurse Elizabeth. She is effortless and gives a performance so nuanced and internalised. It’s also praiseworthy that in an age where religious superstitions are unearthed and recurring, Lelio has chosen to make a strong political statement asserting the importance of science over faith. He also has a protagonist not giving up on her ethics in front of staunch flag-bearers of religious obsession and a land easily fooled by it. There’s a dialogue in particular where Lib says she is noting down ‘facts’ and not ‘stories’, mirroring the opening voice-over. The Wonder reiterates how the idea of sin, repentance and guilt during earlier times were so strong that objection and rebellion were not even a choice, sometimes.The film obliterates the idea of any child being gifted. It says there’s a wonder in every child and every child is a wonder in itself.
Coming to the flaws, there’s nothing much to pick and choose except that the second act could’ve been a lot more better. Despite having a mystical atmospheric background score, beautiful frames, and terrific actors on board, the writing loses its momentum for a bit in between. Although well enacted, the whole narrative that set up the mystery element doesn’t translate well during the revelation sequences. Nevertheless, the finale act makes up for it. It is rebellious, joyous and rewarding.. all at once.
Other Artists?
Tom Burke plays William Byrne, a journalist Lib eventually develops a liking for. He is also the voice of reason in a land of superstition and helps Lib in her endeavor. Burke lands well in the period setting and definitely deserves a little more screen-time. Elaine Cassidy as Rosaleen O’Donnell, Caolán Byrne as Malachy O’ Donnell, Niamh Algar as Kitty and Toby Jones as Dr. McBrearty also give earnest performances in their little roles.
Music And Other Departments?
Ari Wegner’s Cinematography is the strongest asset of the film besides Florence Pugh’s performance. The lighting and frames are moody, atmospheric and plays out like a horror tableau, bejewelling the mystery genre director Sebastiàn Lelio was going for. Another vital fulcrum of The Wonder is Matthew Herbert’s music and score that anchors the screenplay and performances in more ways than one.
Highlights?
Story
Florence Pugh
Cinematography
Music and Score
Drawbacks?
Slow-moving Second Act
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes. Definitely
The Wonder Movie Review by Binged Bureau