The Wonder

A very interesting watch, for the patient viewer or for any fan of periode pieces, drama, or psychological themed movies. The movie is not fastpaced, but it suits its topic: the wasting away of a child supposed to be able to survive off of God's sustenance only (read: without actually eating food). A miracle indeed, or is there more to it?

The movie is incredibly well scripted and fleshed out. The way the topics are developed throughout the movie are very engaging and original. This is a special movie in the sense that it brings up topics other movies have done before, but never in this novel-like way. Even the unlikely or hard to believe elements aren't that much of a nuissance because it makes for a good story. It is slow, which is one of the reasons I would consider it more arthouse instead of a movie for larger audiences. The slow pace emphasizes how agonizing and painful some of the themes and events are.

The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way is there are a few short parts where the fourth wall is broken. In my opinion, it did not have a clear function and only reduced my ability to really immerse myself. Especially since it is a movie about 19th century Ireland, I would have preferred everything stuck to that. I don't mind fourth wall breaks in general, but here, it just kept me questioning for the first hour what it's purpose was. All of this is set during a period of time in Ireland when the Great famine was a problem. There was no need for a narrator. It was not a comedy. It did not add to the understanding of the plot. Even after finishing the film, I don't understand nor agree with the odd choice.

Other than that, the acting is very good, especially by the main character (Florence Pugh plays the nurse who's supposed to keep watch of the fasting girl). Some characters seem a bit instrumental, e.g. The parents of the fasting girl, though their motives are eluded at, hardly say anything throughout it all. The scenery and camerawork is very much like most aspects of the movie: professionally well done, a pleasure to watch and fitting to the plot.

In short, it has a couple of downsides, but it is very much worth the watch and I imagine the right viewer will be very impressed by "The Wonder".

It's a well-rehearsed truism to say that the act of observing a thing changes the object of the object being observed. That's just one of the weighty questions at the heart of this meditative historical drama, one that's also concerned with the interaction of science and faith, free will, when or if to stage an intervention with people bent on self-destructive paths, and the sometimes overwhelming power of guilt - both false guilt and that which has more reason.

To call it patient - despite its under 2-hour running time - is an understatement, but it's never dull thanks in large part to the haunting score and soundscape, and Florence Pugh's truly remarkable central performance (she seems to be packing a few of those into her still young career). A strange and potentially alienating device opens the film, drawing attention to its artificiality, but in doing so it highlights that question of observation changing the observed and encouraging us to do what we're told the characters are doing - believing their own stories as we experience them.

There's a thesis to be written here on the film's theological allusions, one I won't attempt to start here. But it has caused me to reflect on my own experience of over twenty years as an ordained Anglican (i.e. Episcopal) priest. I've seen many people do a wide variety of things in that time, things done in the name of their faith, for reasons of guilt or redemption, that are destructive to themselves or those around them. I've even, sadly, met and listened to people who have been forced to experience precisely the horrific thing, the hidden secret of the past on which the plot turns. If it seems too awful to be true, I can assure you it isn't - for all this film's deliberate artifice, it's a deeply truthful one.

Dealing with almost as many fundamental questions as you might care to bring to it, this is a weighty, serious, but still moving film that's carried by Pugh's brilliance and the production's patient tone. You will likely think on it for days.

As "The Wonder" (2022 release from Ireland; 109 min) opens, we are introduced to. Lib Wright, an English nurse who is sent to a remote part of Ireland to observe an 11 yo girl whose family claims has not eaten in 4 months. Or has she? Lib is to watch the girl in 8 hour shifts, along with a local nun... At this point we are 10 min into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from acclaimed Chilean director Sebastian Lelio ("Gloria", "A Fantastic Woman"). Here he brings to the big screen the novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue. I have not read that novel and hence cannot comment how closely (or not) the movie sticks to the original book. The movie is deliberately paced slowly, reflecting the times of Ireland in the 1860s. Initially it is difficult to understand what exactly is going on (how can the girl sruvive for months without eating?), but then as the movie plays out, we finally see the bigger picture: a morality play on religion with different perspectives from the girl's parents, the doctor, the parish priest, and of course the nurse. Florence Pugh delivers yet another commanding performance as the English nurese (on the heels of her captivating lead in "Don't Worry Darling" a few months ago). The movie features an outstanding score by British composer Matthew Herbert. The photography, shot on location in Ireland, is equally top notch. Bottom line: this movie grabbed my attention from start to finish, and is one of those that seemingly comes out of nowhere in the best possible way.

"The Wonder" had a very brief and limited US theatrical run in early November, and started streaming on Netflix just last night. It is currently rated 86% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and for good reason. I couldn't wait to see this. If you are in the mood for a psychological drama/morality play set in the 1860s in rural Ireland, featuring an outstanding lead performance by Florence Pugh, I'd readily suggest you check it out, and draw your own conclusion.

A committed, immersive performance by young newcomer Kíla Lord Cassidy spearheads this period mystery set in rural Ireland in the 19th century, where an 11-year-old girl in a highly religious family has been fasting for four months - seemingly without any physical repercussions. Florence Pugh is the young nurse sent to observe the girl - and solve the puzzle for us, of course. Although Pugh's performance comes off as anachronistic at times and the film drags in an uneventful middle section which seems to have little other purpose than to fill out the running time, the mystery itself is clever and incorporates enough historical, religious and sociocultural aspects to make this weighty and effective. And whenever you start doubting the story's potential for veracity, Cassidy's authentic performance sucks you back into this bygone world of repressed guilt, shame and emotions.

Florence Pugh is English nurse "Mrs. Wright" who travels to Ireland to nurse a young girl who hasn't eaten in quite a while. Well at least that is what she thinks. Upon arrival, she discovers from the board that she and a nun (Josie Walker) are not to nurse at all, but to sit and watch what happens to this young girl "Anna" (Kíla Lord Cassidy). Is this all a fraud or is it divine intervention that is enabling this young woman to survive un-nourished but for the odd sip of water. Enter Tom Burke's rather sceptical journalist "Will", a local who moved to London but who still has more than his fair share of demons. Soon he and the nurse begin to bond, despite their initial difference of opinions about the whole thing and she knuckles down to discover just what is going on. Pugh is really effective here, delivering a characterisation that is considered and sympathetic but by no means gullible. The story is a slow burn, and to be honest I found the conclusion a little implausible and unsatisfactory but she and the young Cassidy carry this really well. The dialogue is sparing with some beautiful scenery that helps well to depict an Ireland still in the grip of anti-English sentiment and religious superstitions.