Flickering Myth

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TIFF Movie Review – To the Wonder (2012)

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To the Wonder, 2012.

Directed by Terrence Malick.

Starring Ben Affleck,,Javier Bardem, Olga Kurylenko,,Charles Baker, Romina Mondello,,Cassidee Vandalia and Darryl Cox.

SYNOPSIS:

After his marriage fails a man renews a relationship with a hometown sweetheart.



The key to understanding the movies made by Terrence Malick is that he adopts a narrative based on the subconscious rather than a traditional one based on a series of plot points. To the Wonder is an ode to love which revolves around Olga Kurylenko who plays a European woman living in France with a 10 year old daughter; her American lover portrayed by Ben Affleck invites them to join him in his homeland which they do. Rather than grow closer together a gulf develops which leads to mother and daughter leaving to go back to Europe. Affleck rekindles a romance with a childhood sweetheart (Rachel McAdams) only to have it disrupted by his ex-lover whose ex-husband has taken custody of their daughter and has been unable to find work. Driven in part by guilt, the true love is pushed aside to allow for the return of the wayward soul resulting in a doomed marriage that results in an affair and a child.

In typical Terrence Malick fashion the cinematography is visually stunning while the production design has a Spartan sensibility. The landscape features prominently in the movie so to create impressions of happiness and loneliness. The jump cut editing make certain sequences appear like flashes of memory. The minimal dialogue is supplemented with voice overs which reflect on the existence and meaning of love. There are times Olga Kurylenko comes across as a ballerina dancing her way through life; the entire project rests upon her shoulders. Rachel McAdams does some dancing through the wheat fields too but she disappears as abruptly as she appeared. Ben Affleck is like a metal pole in which the two women literally and figuratively twirl around; his performance is so emotionless that you wonder why he even bothered with the project. Javier Bardem makes an appearance as a priest who has doubts about God considering all of the suffering he sees around him; the storyline feels like filler as it never goes anywhere.

To the Wonder is not a bad effort by Terrence Malick but the stream of consciousness meandering will frustrate viewers. Olga Kurylenko is believable in her role though those around her seem far less genuine. One has to wonder if Malick is more concerned in producing great images than crafting characters who will emotionally resonate with the masses. The message about love is as evasive as the filmmaker himself; however, then again there is no magic formula which will enable people to understand the unpredictable nature of human feelings.

Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★ ★

Trevor Hogg

Originally published September 13, 2012. Updated April 14, 2018.

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