Review 687: The Wonder

 

The Wonder is a gripping and  and dark secrets brewing beneath.

Based on the novel The Wonder by Emma Donoghue (who also authored Room); In 1862, shortly after the Great Famine, Elizabeth “Lib” Wright (Florence Pugh), a nurse who served in the Crimean War is sent to a rural village in Ireland where she is tasked with watching over Anna O’Donnell (Kila Lord Cassidy), a fasting girl who, according to her family, hasn’t eaten for four months.

"We are nothing without stories" says our narrator (Niamh Algar) in the films opening, "so we invite you to believe in this one." Signifying that the events that unfold in this film are fictional

Beginning in what is unmistakably a present day film studio, the camera pans around over the plywood sets almost as if it's looking for a transition. We are soon presented with one as The Wonder transitions to the interior of a 19th-century ship which Florence Pugh's "Lib" is journeying to Ireland.

Not only is The Wonder a riveting phychological thriller, it's ultimately an uplifting story of miracles and faith.  

The Wonder lulls you into its period setting  The Great Famine was still very much affecting the people of Ireland and 

Director Sebastian Lelio's direction is sensitive and suspenseful, keeping the 103 minute narrative engaging and  the cinematography is atmospheric and  The score by Matthew Herbert is beautifully majestic. The production design is fantastic and beautifully detailed (recreating Ireland in 1862 with  the costumes are marvelous

Florence Pugh shows once again why she’s one of the most skilled young actors of her generation playing Elizabeth “Lib” Wright. Elizabeth is a nurse who's served in the Crimean War and now has the very unusual task of keeping watch over this girl who has apparently gone without food for four months. Yet, in the midst of this phenomenan, Lib remains level-headed

Tom Burke from BBC’s Strike also impressed playing William Byrne, a journalist for the Daily Telegraph who "Lib" befriends on her challenging mission