There seems to be a lack of hope in these recent dark times, as more drama piles on us day to day: from crazy tweeting, a lack of human compassion and the #MeToo movement putting a face on bad behavior from all over. To say there is an absence of hope is putting it mildly. But even with all that there have been some amazing examples of people trying to keep hope alive and strong: Wonder Woman, Black Panther, Get Out, A Shape of Water, Coco as examples. All films full of hope and wonder. Last year was a great year in film. A Wrinkle in Time is another beautiful example of just how powerful hope can be: a wonderful film of love, female empowerment and family.
Based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Madeleine L’Engle, we follow the journey of Meg. Her father, Alex, is being held captive on a distant planet deep in the grips of an dark universe hell-bent on destruction of all things full of light. Meg, her super intelligent young brother Charles Wallace, and her new friend Calvin are taken under the wings of three benevolent astral travelers: Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who. They take the children beyond time and space to save Meg’s father and become warriors for the light to stop the impending darkness. It’s an adventure with hope, compassion and the love of one girl who will stop at nothing to make her family whole again.
Ava DuVernay is an amazing director and filmmaker, who’s notable films Selma and 13th received both critical and social praise and well-earned accolades. She is the real deal. She has the talent that so many don’t. Using the camera and characters to express her voice in beautiful ways, she clearly understood this material and then made it her own. No one else could have directed this movie with the passion and love that she brought towards it.
As powerful as DuVernay’s directing is most people are going to be talking about the talent of all the actors: Chris Pine, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, newcomers Storm Reid, Deric McCabe, Levi Miller and of course the three astral travelers played by Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey. All are absolutely amazing. Not just saying it. Really, all turn in performances that bring tears to your eyes. Each is alive on screen, bringing their own unique set of style and choices to these characters for a whole generation to see.
The young actors who carry this movie are fantastic: they manage to carry the weight of an entire movie as if they have done it for years. One can see the wisdom in each of their eyes as they interact with the veteran actors. The movie is filled from top to bottom with tour de force ability. Storm Reid, who plays Meg, is wonderful and her amazing career has just started. She’s been acting since she was a child, but here she elevates herself to a whole new level, a level that can show other young girls they can do and achieve anything, no matter what they set their minds to.
The sets, locations, effects and costumes are remarkable. Each is given a detail other films dream of. The incredible detail given to the three travelers in their costumes is Oscar-wining for sure. Each has their own style and it’s reflected in their appearance, from their hair down to their shoes. Nothing was overlooked when it came to the technical portions of the movie, making it that much more alive. A highlight is when Mrs. Whatsit turns into a giant flower type creature and flies around the sky. It’s a beautiful scene full of stunning visuals.
Over all this is a wonderful movie full of amazing acting, effects and writing: a great adaption of one of science fiction’s greatest works. This is a film everyone involved with can be proud of. This is totally worth seeing on the big screen. A movie full hope and compassion: a great message not only for young women to see but for all loving and caring people. A great start for film in 2018.
