battlecrusadersgames
I found this a little slow and confusing. The whole movie revolves around the connection between the 2 storylines, but it is both predictable and tenuous.
The music is also very distracting, which is especially noticeable in the silent parts of the movie.
Thank god Oakes Fegley is both watchable and a great little actor and carries the movie. Also i have to give credit for the director to try something a little bit different.
Overall the movie was watchable but not one i will be buying on dvd
TheLittleSongbird
Loved 'Wonderstruck's' concept, one of my favourites of the year in fact, and there is a lot to admire about Todd Haynes' previous work that includes the likes of 'Carol', 'Safe' and 'Far from Heaven'. Julianne Moore is always worth watching too.'Wonderstruck' is not one of Haynes' best, a lesser effort perhaps. That it is still very good (though divisive) just goes to show how good Haynes' previous work is. Can totally see why it won't work, and hasn't worked, for some, some may be alienated by the pace and structure of the film while others will be entranced and fascinated. It certainly worked for me and found myself really connecting with it. Not a perfect film by all means. It does drag and ramble in the middle act and there are scenes that go on for too long and could have done with a small trim or a complete excision. Can't find much to fault otherwise. Most of the pace was fine for me, it is deliberate but the atmosphere kept me entranced. The two time-lines/periods (one being from 1927, the other being from 1977) structure is fascinating, both periods but especially for 1927, and fluidly handled with no jarring. Loved how the two contrasted in how they were shot and their tones.It is a beautiful-looking film, exquisite at its very best. The different visual styles for the two periods were both wonderfully filmed, with a real sense of affectionate nostalgia for 1927, with the visual language of silent cinema, and a grittier one for 1977. Haynes directs with skill.A big star of 'Wonderstruck' is Carter Burwell's stunning music score, adding to and enhancing the atmosphere of both stories. The use of songs was inspired and nostalgic. The writing is sensitive and thought-provoking, though 'Wonderstruck' shows the beauty of actions and expressions reading louder than words. It is also another strong case of some of the cleverest and effective uses of sound design/editing of the year.The emotional impact of the story and how this fascinating concept was executed were most striking. 'Wonderstruck' is not just affectionately nostalgic, thoughtful and at times uplifting, it is also a very emotional experience. Especially the last half an hour, which reduced me to sobbing like a baby. The film really moved me and stirred my soul, part of me related to it too despite not ever being in the situation, and it never felt manipulative or trying too hard.Millicent Simmonds and Oakes Fegley are excellent leads, especially Simmonds, who is actually deaf in real life, in the more challenging role, what a beyond her years powerful performance. Julianne Moore glows with radiance in two roles. In conclusion, not for everybody but for me it was a beautiful and very moving film while finding faults with the middle act. 8/10 Bethany Cox
nameismike69
I'm very sad to see all the dislike reviews to this Todd Haynes film. Since he made Safe also with Julianne Moore. It was both there first films together. You'll like this film. I'm not going to give any of it away. I just want to save it from all the bad reviews I see here. It's a 2 hour Todd Haynes film. You have to stick with it even for me it was hard but sometimes with a film you have to go with it. And like the other films I see him do. There always beautiful and the tears for this one was hard to hold back. It all makes sense in the end. And it's a interesting story. The 1970's songs he picked were great. Anyway Todd great job on this. I didn't even know about it. Till today.
