X
- 2023
- R
- Momentum Pictures
- 1 h 45 m
- 2023
- R
- Momentum Pictures
- 1 h 45 m
Summary A coming-of-age film that follows Bea Johnson from birth to graduation as she navigates life with an intellectually disabled parent and an extended family who can't quite agree on the best way to help.
Directed By: Matt Smukler
Written By: Jana Savage, Matt Smukler
- 2023
- R
- Momentum Pictures
- 1 h 45 m
- 2023
- R
- Momentum Pictures
- 1 h 45 m
Wildflower
52
7.1
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Summary A coming-of-age film that follows Bea Johnson from birth to graduation as she navigates life with an intellectually disabled parent and an extended family who can't quite agree on the best way to help.
Directed By: Matt Smukler
Written By: Jana Savage, Matt Smukler
Where to Watch
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
52
43% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
57% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
52
43% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
57% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Deep down, it’s a story about family and how the strong bond of the family comes in many different and imperfect forms. The cast gives it their all and finds the heart of this sweet narrative.
Despite feeling overcrowded and at times unevenly paced, Wildflower is a warm coming-of-age tale that amplifies the stories of underrepresented groups in the media. In addition to highlighting the complications that come with growing up, it reminds you to appreciate the people who appreciate you back.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 User Ratings
7.1
50% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
50% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 User Ratings
7.1
50% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
50% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Por mais boa vontade que tenha o roteiro, como as cenas de sexo um pouco mais avançadas e o uso de uma história não linear (opções que muito me agradam), é impossível dissociar o filme ao que "CODA" já apresentou: os pais deficientes, a filha querendo ir além, os empecilhos óbvios, a inversão de papel, e tudo o mais que filmes como esse já mostraram.
Claro que aqui, por ter uma pegada na deficiência mental, também conta com elementos capazes de emocionar. A protagonista, também, não é tão boazinha como possa parecer, mas ao menos o roteiro soube humanizá-la, com vícios e virtudes.
Mas não sei se me agrada a história em si. Como dito, por mais que feita com boas intenções e até muito competente, sinto como se fosse uma colagem de muita coisa. Desde o fato da moça ser uma outsider no Ensino médio, quase uma versão de "As meninas malvadas", ao fato de sentirmos que ocorrerá um conflito com os pais, tudo é tão previsível, genérico, que permanece a incapacidade de se surpreender.
Uma coisa é certa: o roteiro é competente, seguro de si quanto à história que quer mostrar, por mais clichê que seja. Gosto também da forma como conduzem o romance adolescente, mesmo que seja genérico, não é idiotizado. Gosto muito também das piadas mais contidas, sem apelar para um humor escrachado. Nesse sentido, "CODA" fez escola, e o filme se aproveita da vibe, da trilha, para dar um tom crível necessário para certo envolvimento.
No final das contas, o saldo é bastante positivo. A mensagem de tolerância também é bem bonita de acompanhar, o que garante uma obra muito simpática.
Report
Even when it strays away from its core messaging, Wildflower never steps on a mine. And when you’re working your way through a minefield, you call that a win every time.
Despite a fantastic cast, Wildflower doesn’t live up to its potential, and uses its disabled characters as vehicles to drive the main character’s story, which will leave a bitter taste in your mouth after all is said and done.
While director Matt Smukler and screenwriter Jana Savage deliver moments throughout the film that feel vividly real, too often they veer into the maudlin or cutesy, as though trying to soften this material for the broadest possible audience.
Shipka ably handles the responsibility of leading the story, but the director Matt Smukler has a harder time balancing the charming and empathetic ensemble performances with the script’s constantly judgmental tone.
A terrific cast can only do so much with superficial, maudlin material in the coming-of-age dramedy Wildflower.
I gave this film a chance mainly because of its cast, and I was even surprised to see Kiernan Shipka managing to stand out. However, Wildflower is fundamentally superficial and leans too heavily into emotional **** addition, it suffers from a considerable problem related to the lack of development and depth in its characters. The main focus falls on Shipka's character, and although, as I mentioned, her performance is commendable, many of her character's qualities are based on emotions and instincts that are familiar in many other stories that address the transition to adulthood of adolescents who are on the threshold of making important decisions after high school. The absence of thematic variety is noticeable.Wildflower tries to bite off more than it can chew, which results in a narrative that feels rushed and fails to reach a satisfying climax. The film persistently seeks to evoke emotional moments, but despite a competent cast and some compelling instances, it never takes off.
Report
Production Company
Entertainment One,
Hunting Lane Films,
Limelight,
Morning Moon Productions
Release Date Mar 17, 2023
Duration 1 h 45 m
Rating R
Awards
Ruderman Family Foundation Seal of Authentic Representation
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination