Wonderstruck (2017)

Todd Hayes makes beautiful films which often feel somewhat awkwardly clunky in gorgeously unique ways. Carol and Far From Heaven are lush, rich tragic love stories that break your heart while I'm Not There and Velvet Goldmine are odd brainstorms that give us an experience unlike what we've seen before. Wonderstruck is another. It is a rare mashup of styles and relationships which mostly captures a romantic imagination.

The story is oddly coincidental yet is easy to forgive despite how unlikely it remains. The forgiveness comes from Hayes' ability to make it feel uniquely magical. Perhaps his most awkward film yet, he pulls the rabbit out of the hat with a film that will make you smile and feel warm in a way that doesn't ever feel forced. Despite how cliched the story is Hayes creates such a lovely world (or worlds) for his story to play out in. From the Cabinets of Wonder to the NYC diorama, Hayes colours his film in sets as fantastic as his story.

Wonderstruck is gorgeous, a lovely thing to watch. Hayes films part of his story as a silent film aping the classics, and finds exactly the right 70s tone for the rest of his film. And it is all beautifully lovely, so much so it will win you over. And the score, with its constantly changing style and tone, fitting for this film, is as lovely as the film it is supporting.

I couldn't get over how much the story just felt too overwrought while remaining underwhelming. But Hayes hits the sweet spots that will make you smile through tears. Wonderstruck is an experimental gift package that adds up to more than just the sum of its parts. Technically and artistically strong while narratively weak, Wonderstuck overcomes its deficiencies with true loveliness.

Wonderstruck
Starring: Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, Oakes Fegley, Millicent Simmonds
Director: Todd Hayes
Writer: Brian Selznick