Chasing Wonders

I saw this movie in Adelaide when it premiered and didn't know what to expect. It's not the genre of movie I personally would immediately choose. How lucky was I to give it a try.

This movie has a storyline that draws you in, with strong characters interacting around a young boy much like tornado winds blow around the eye of a storm.

It's billed as a coming-of-age movie, but I found it had deep undercurrents of family dynamics and tensions, with past memories affecting present relationships.

The cinematography was breath-taking; from the sweeping views across the Flinders Ranges and the night-time desert skies to the Spanish countryside, with all its colour.

I loved the script. One minute, we're experiencing dialogue with that cheeky Aussie charm and sarcastic humour; next, we're in the middle of a heavy confrontational scene.

For me, the grandfather (played by Edward James Olmos, who also narrated), was the star. His charisma and presence on the screen was huge.

Ultimately, the movie will entertain and uplift you, as well as resonate with anyone who has experienced complex family relationships ... and that's probably everyone.

An incredibly moving story which is so different to the typical coming-of-age film! Such beautiful cinematography and music that help tell the story. The non-linear timeline takes you to the beautiful landscapes of Australia and Spain. The main message I took from it is that children forget their parents had their own lives before them and to understand they aren't perfect - which is something I have never seen explored in a film before!

Such a fun yet heart-warming movie. Would highly recommend.

Chasing Wonders (2020) shows that simple concepts when well developed can lead to great movies. When I say simple I mean the essence of the plot: a coming of age story which explores relashionship conflicts in a migrant family, original from Spain, that lives in Australia. The simplicity ends when we start analysing the screenplay. Judy Morris writing is very smart. First of all, it was a clever idea to alternate past and present through the narrative. It adds a nostalgia to the scenes about the past, making them more alike memories and also increases the will of knowing what happend and led to that future, making the movie more interesting. Another important thing to mention is the narrator. The feeling of somebody "watching from above" connects a lot with the story and is totally justified in a point in the narrative. To finish my analysis on the writing, there were many moments in which something said before was used later on in the film giving a strong meaning to many lines and conversations. In a film that focus in such a personal environment it's indispensable that the characters look real, with cohesive personalities and natural interactions. In this path, no line was wasted. Though some characters don't have many scenes, they do look relatable, realistic and their interactions feel real. This impression has a strong connection with the acting. It elevated even more the screenplay. I didn't know the cast and it didn't stop me from connecting with them. I highlight here Edward James Olmos, who is very charismatic and natural as Luis. Besides, his narration is fantastic, his voice is beautiful, very powerfull and touching. Michael Crisafulli acting amazed me as he was quite young in the scenes about Salvino past. He didn't look intimidated at all by the experienced and talented cast beside him. Antonio De La Torre, who plays Felipe, the main character's father, had a brilliant performance with many memorable scenes. Not only regarding lines but his body language too was perfect, every look, making Felipe almost touchable. The pace was fantastic. It didn't drag nor looked short though it has less than an hour and a half, so I praise Nicholas Gaster for his editing. Paul Meins shots together with Denson Baker cinematography and the special effects made Chasing Wonders a feast for the eyes. The desert scenes are breathtaking and there are many clever shots throughout the film. Furthermore, the music elevated the atmosphere and helped turning this movie a beautiful and touching memory.

Beautiful and quality product. Simple and not over dramatic. Less is more. If you like this, I recommend a Chinese movie called "So long my son".

Beautiful film about a boy and his relationship with his family spanning both time and geographies. Stunningly shot, with a strong message of understanding, forgiveness and making the most of your life. A must see.