Before I went to watch the movie A Wrinkle in Time, I had heard it was a grand movie about resilience and girl power.
When I heard such commentary I just shrugged my shoulders. I think many people thought that I would love this movie by Ava DuVernay because I loved Wonder Woman. I would laugh at such thoughts because it makes no sense to think that I would love all movies with women-led casts or all movies directed by a female. I am glad to see Ms DuVernay doing well and I am all for girl-power. But art is indeed subjective. And the heart likes what it is going to like and also dislikes what it doesn’t feel.
I went into the movie theater with an open mind. I sat down and sipped my green smoothie. As the time went by, I finished my smoothie -which was the thing keeping me awake-and I felt bored. I didn’t fall asleep. That is a good thing in its favor. For I have fallen asleep in the past while at the movies.
The protagonist, Meg Murry, was a young girl with very curly hair. I loved her hair. At first, she hated it. I felt for her. Growing up my curly hair was not widely appreciated. As I grew older, more and more people (including myself) came to appreciate my curls. As it is, I am desperately fighting a tough fight to get my curls back. But that is a post for another time. Ava DuVernay even noted in interviews that the protagonist’s hair was a big deal for the movie. I get it. It is important for young girls with such super-duper curly hair to see themselves represented in popular culture. I would have greatly benefited from such visual representation as a child. And I appreciate the movie for that. But I still was bored.
The first hour of the movie is super slow. And there is a lot weird special effects and musical interludes. At times, I felt like I was watching an MTV movie. And don’t get me started on Oprah’s character in the movie where she stands way above the rest of the characters in very silvery eye shadow. The movie overall does stand for self-esteem, empowerment and paints a beautiful racially-blended family. But that is what I do at home anyway. I think I wanted a bit more action in a science fiction film. So, there it is. I loved the hair and messages of self love. But it won’t be on my Oscars list for next year. Not that my opinion counts for anything anyway. But I just felt compelled to write. Till next time.
Categories: childhood, Children, Culture, current events, Film, Humor, identity, Pop Culture, Psychology
psychologistmimi 
Did you read the book? I read the book as a child and adored it. It opened up this world to me – this world where black holes and light years existed mere feet over the plane of our entire physical and imaginative manifestation of life. Trials and tribulations became insignificant in the face of space beyond earth. Anyway. I watched the trailer and quite simply, I despised it. It sounded wishy washy and fanciful, in a way that the book, despite all its flowery language, really wasn’t. I don’t think I will be watching it – your review kind of confirmed it for me. I have to say, though, that the film looks remarkably beautiful, visually!
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No I haven’t read the book, The movie was visually beautiful. Maybe I will look into reading it.
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I loved the book, liked the movie. But, what bothered me more was I kept staring at all the gems on Oprah’s eyebrows through the whole movie. They seemed bigger than everything in the movie at points.
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lol. that is true. I forgot about those. oh my!
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Us curly-haired girls have to stick together. 🙂 Loved the book and was somewhat hesitant about the movie, simply because Oprah can be rather egotistical when she gets into a movie. I may wait and watch it when it comes out on streaming. And thanks for the curl love, too. Hope yours make a return soon!
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oh yes, us curly girls need to unite and take over 🙂
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Word. 🙂
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I must admit the previews make the movie look somewhat over the top. I’m not surprised the reviews have been mostly so-so.
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I’ll take ‘full metal jacket’ with a side serving of ‘where eagles dare’ then
But recommend ‘the dress maker’
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hmm. will have to look for that one. thanks for the rec
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😀
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It was fair to middling, as films go. I think the same will be true of the “Tomb Raider” remake. I think girls and women can be quite powerful in the real world. “Wrinkle”‘s saving grace was that Meg managed to get her father and brother back from the Dark, without any bloodshed.
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I do wonder how Tomb Raider will turn out this time around. Don’t know whether to go see it or not. hmm
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We watched this last Thursday and yes I agree with you… apart from beautiful cinematography and special effects… it’s lacking somehow. Black Panther is much better in all aspects. Beautifully made and the story is very good.
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I agree!!!! I loved Black Panther. 🙂
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