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7

TVJerryNov 14, 2017

Two children living in eras 50 years apart set out to New York City on separate quests. Their parallel journeys lead them on an intriguing and sometimes spellbinding trip. Since both of the protagonists have lost their hearing, much of theTwo children living in eras 50 years apart set out to New York City on separate quests. Their parallel journeys lead them on an intriguing and sometimes spellbinding trip. Since both of the protagonists have lost their hearing, much of the film takes place with only music and sometimes rather creative imagery. Some of the sequences require patience to endure the imaginative approach, but the payoff is worth it.The performances are compelling and director Todd Haynes has gone all out…or all art!… Expand

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8

GreatMartinNov 6, 2017

"Wonderstruck" is a movie for thinking people. Though it isn't necessary to take notes during the first ninety minutes it would help when the puzzle is put together in the last twenty-five minutes.

We are following the story of 2 children"Wonderstruck" is a movie for thinking people. Though it isn't necessary to take notes during the first ninety minutes it would help when the puzzle is put together in the last twenty-five minutes.

We are following the story of 2 children opening when 10-11-year-old Ben is struck deaf by lightning and the loss of his mother, never having known his father. His story takes place in the late 1970s and is told in full color. The other child, Rose, has been deaf since birth and, all her scenes are in black and white presented as a silent movie, has an absentee mother. Both leave home, she from Hoboken, New Jersey and he from Gunflint Lake, Minnesota, to go to New York for her to connect with her mother and him to find his father.

Their stories are kept separate, each getting equal time and easy to follow until they intertwine in a very believable fashion but unless you watch and listen closely you could get lost in how Rose and Ben are related.

It would be difficult to continue the review without giving spoilers regarding the story, with the screenplay written by Brian Selznick who wrote the original best-selling children's book here turned into a story for people of all ages.

Ben is played by Oakes Fegley and Rose by deaf actress Millicent Simmonds with the latter making a stunning debut. Joining Ben in his search is Jamie, played by Jaden Michael, when the two boys meet on the streets of New York. The three kids have the leading roles and are stand-outs.

Julianne Moore plays two different roles, each important to the figuring out the puzzle within the film while Michele Williams, as Ben's mother, basically has a cameo in the film as most of the adults do.

There is no doubt the 'star' of this film is the director Todd Haynes who ties the story, the actors, the very effective music for both eras along with the costumes, sets and photography. The beginning calls for a lot of patience from the movie-goer but they are pulled first into the separate stories and then watching it all come together.

Full disclosure: Though I followed all the pieces of the puzzle fitting together when I got home I had to look up certain relationships to make sure I had followed it correctly.… Expand

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10

marymaebennettNov 14, 2017

You know I’m trying to think of adjectives to describe Wonderstruck that are not “wonderful” but it’s automatically what comes to mind via the title. I think the best word to describe this movie is the other W word of “whimsical.” It’s anYou know I’m trying to think of adjectives to describe Wonderstruck that are not “wonderful” but it’s automatically what comes to mind via the title. I think the best word to describe this movie is the other W word of “whimsical.” It’s an absolutely gorgeous in the whimsical way it depicts reality. There are two stories going on at the same time. It has soared into three of my top favorite movies of 2017 and I’ve already made plans to view it again.The first story is about a 10ish year old boy in the 70’s who has just gone deaf. He sets off away from his family to begin his journey, I forget when you learn what the journey is, so I don’t want to say in case it is a spoiler. It is told in with sound, an array of colors, and captions. The other story is told in black and white with no subtitles or audio. This is the story of a deaf girl in 1927 who heads to NYC because she is inspired by a photo of a film star. I think they are clipped together seamlessly. The orchestral pieces were beautiful to hear but also added so much emotion in a way I haven’t ever been so captivated by the music in a movie. It is complemented with music from the 70’s to further demonstrate the period. I th nk if Amazon wants to do an Oscar campaign, it can get the nomination but I don’t know if it would win because big budget movies like to go after these kind of awards. I really hope it gets the nomination because if it were up to me, it’d win. I have more to say but I’m worried they’d qualify as spoilers, so I beg of you, please watch this movie as you won’t regret it!… Expand

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7

JLuis_001Jan 8, 2018

What should have been an endearing story and touching experience and a lot more emotional ends up being too cerebral and somewhat cold, besides that it took a lot of work to identify myself with the characters.
But yes, the movie looksWhat should have been an endearing story and touching experience and a lot more emotional ends up being too cerebral and somewhat cold, besides that it took a lot of work to identify myself with the characters.
But yes, the movie looks visually impressive, especially the sequences in black and white and the score is one of the most underrated of 2017.… Expand

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7

OnlyAGreatOnlyOct 21, 2017

This movie is good, just needs a bit of entertainment and that is all. Wonderstruck is kind of bad though, but it is great anyways. Thanks to the director.

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4

Brent_MarchantNov 19, 2017

When one watches a film with the word "Wonder" in the title, one expects it to evoke feelings in line with that term. However, this drawn-out, snoozy mess never lives up to its billing, leaving viewers constantly hankering for the story toWhen one watches a film with the word "Wonder" in the title, one expects it to evoke feelings in line with that term. However, this drawn-out, snoozy mess never lives up to its billing, leaving viewers constantly hankering for the story to "get on with it already." A true waste of talent, cinematic resources and viewers' time.… Expand

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6

section20mi6Apr 23, 2018

While visually compelling and emotionally driven at times, Wonderstruck fails to send a clear central message that the transformation of deaf culture is important to the American society. The "wonder" in the title also does not seem to liveWhile visually compelling and emotionally driven at times, Wonderstruck fails to send a clear central message that the transformation of deaf culture is important to the American society. The "wonder" in the title also does not seem to live up to its ultimate ending, offering viewers rather mixed and confused feelings.… Expand

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0

FedorkoNov 13, 2017

What a waste of time. This movie was reminiscent of Scorsese's "Hugo" but with less wonder! We don't understand why we should care. The stakes were low. The children were cute, but it takes no work or energy to cast cute kids. I walked outWhat a waste of time. This movie was reminiscent of Scorsese's "Hugo" but with less wonder! We don't understand why we should care. The stakes were low. The children were cute, but it takes no work or energy to cast cute kids. I walked out after 70 minutes.… Expand

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9

katezoeFeb 4, 2018

Another fantastic film by Todd Haynes one of the best directors working today. Everything about the movie is wonderful. A magical story you fall in love with.

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9

markydiscoNov 17, 2017

Absolutely gorgeous film in every way. The first half does an amazing job conveying what it must feel like to live in this world without hearing. By the second half I was so taken by the characters and how the story all intertwined that IAbsolutely gorgeous film in every way. The first half does an amazing job conveying what it must feel like to live in this world without hearing. By the second half I was so taken by the characters and how the story all intertwined that I must say I was "wonderstruck". This movie was extremely moving and emotional for me and demonstrated some of the most important things that make this life so unique and special. Sad, but the average moviegoer will probably not be willing to sit through especially the first half of this film...but, they are missing out on something very unique and special and beautiful.… Expand

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8

amheretojudgeApr 25, 2018

it's what you see..

Wonderstruck A genuinely moving throwback to all those early silent features that used to endorse humanity in the most innocent and subtle way possible with a keen sense of awareness on installing touching details aboutit's what you see..

Wonderstruck

A genuinely moving throwback to all those early silent features that used to endorse humanity in the most innocent and subtle way possible with a keen sense of awareness on installing touching details about its pragmatic characters and the eerie bubble that it resides in. Todd Haynes's brilliant execution skills factors in its favor but the real gem in here is Brian Selznick's smart adaptation for the screen. Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams are good supporters to these brilliant young actors i.e. Oakes Fegley and Millicent Simmonds (her portrayal overpowers everyone on screen). Wonderstruck walks on two different lines set in its own palpable tone where even though "the 1977" part has more material to feed, "the 1927" one steals the show for its poetic nature that draws out the best emotion from the screen.… Expand

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8

DawdlingPoetNov 23, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a charming, old fashioned style film with close to no dialgue for the most part (certainly for most the first half of the film) and which centers around two main characters. Its set in 2 different times as well - the late 1920s and the 1970s. Its quite an immersive watch. The 1920s scenes are in black and white, which, I suppose, helps to clarify which timeframe we're watching. For the 2nd half of the film, its mostly in colour though. This would probably be a confusing watch for younger viewers as the plot is relatively slow and the lack of dialogue may also put some people off. It certainly has an arty feel to it though and I liked the fact that one of the 2 main characters is deaf, so we see things from a deaf childs point of view, which I found intriguing. There is a fair bit of classical/instrumental music present, which I also quite liked. It feels to me like quite a clever film but its probably just a bit too quirky/abstract to really have mass widespread appeal, particularly to younger viewers, I would have thought (I mean pre-adolescents). The plot itself is both sweet and interesting but I wouldn't say this is the king od film that really grabs you as a viewer and pulls you in right away, although if you stick with it and start to realise the journey that the 2 main characters are each embarking on, then it may well feel a more engrossing watch. I certainly thought it was a good film overall and I also liked how another young child made an effort to communicate with the deaf boy. I suppose one of the main themes this film covers is how different people communicate with one another i.e. communication and isolation. I remember thinking of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close while I was watching it, as (I suppose) its another child shown walking about New York City, on a bit of a personal journey, to do with his parents, like in that film, although this one has no direct links to 9/11 of course.

The full story, as its slowly revealed, towards the end, was really quite lovely and there is sign language shown to accompany the start of the credits. I should also point out that this film is based on the book by Brian Selznick. Overall this is a charming and heartwarming watch but it isn't a film that will appeal or be enjoyed by all, yet I'd recommend it nevertheless, if your open minded at all.… Expand

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