Wonderstruck

Are you wondering if you should watch this movie? I decided to write this post, after reading the 1- and 2-star reviews, with a TEST to help answer that question.TEST # 1. When you are given a present, do you: a) open it slowly, delighting in the mystery, enjoying the look on the gift giver's face as the suspense heightens? Or, b) rip open the paper, look at the gift and say, "Oh, thanks Aunt Millie," and then go back to your phone wondering how many of your followers are reading your Instagram posts about what a lame [insert holiday] you're having?TEST # 2. The last time you tried to solve a maze, did you: a) carefully work your way around it, sometimes having to back up and erase until you reached the goal? Or, b) start from the center and work your way out because it was faster, with no erasing and, really, you just wanted to finish the [insert adjective] thing?If you answered (a) to both questions, then start the movie. There is no need to read any further. Seriously. Just hit PLAY.If you answered (b) to both questions, you have probably already given up on this post and are now watching the trailer for 'Transforming Mutant Lego Dino Droids'. I don't even know why I am still writing to you.If you answered one of each, then read on. I don't consider any of this to be spoilers. But you should know that this film does not have any car chases, although someone does almost get run over by a horse ... and there IS a chase scene but it's on foot. Know that you will probably not jump out of your seat and yell, "Wow!" or "Holy [insert expletive]!" But you may find yourself saying, "Oh,' and "Aha," and "ohhh, wow." You won't scream, but you might cry. There are no explosions ... well, there is something you could CALL an 'explosion', but it's more of an Act of [insert Deity]. There are no dinosaurs - no, I take that back. There ARE dinosaurs, they just don't talk or eat people. In fact, Jeff Goldblum isn't even IN this movie. There is a whale, but no one is trying to help it escape. There are no wizards, but there is a gentleman in a white beard who runs a shop that could be converted into Ollivander's without too much effort. There are no aliens, but there is a giant meteorite that came from space. New York City DOES get plunged into a blackout, but there are no shirtless heroes grabbing Uzis and hitting the streets. For the record, there ARE several shirtless males, but they are just trying to stay cool on a hot day in the city. And, finally, this is not an animated movie, but there is a brilliant scene that uses animation to tell a back story. I mean it is [insert expletive-adjective] Brilliant! Oh, there ARE wolves and they ARE chasing someone, but that's in the first two minutes, so .... I should also warn you that a large part of this movie is in black-and-white. It's a well used narrative device to help you track where and when you are. Think the Wizard of Oz. And also be warned that parts of the film have no dialogue ... or even sound. It's all part of the experience. Think of it as anti-IMAX.The final TEST [#3] is this. Have you EVER wondered what your place was in the world? Where you really belonged? Ever lost anyone through divorce or death or simply because one of you moved away, and you felt all alone? If you answered b) "No," then go back to Instagram. But if any of the above intrigues you and you answered a) "yes," then I think you should hit the PLAY button. I think you will find it worth your while.

As a deaf individual, it is a welcome change to see movies from the "deaf" world perspective in a hearing world. To the Mom in Brookline post, it is very much how our world is daily even in 2018. We use communication with visual language, hands, and no sound. I certainly hope Julianne Moore wins an award Oscar along with the boy who played "Ben".

Although it is a slower paced movie, I never lost interest not even for a moment. Seeing the curiosity on both Rose and Ben's faces in the museum reminded me of when I would visit the Museum of Science and Industry when I was a child and seeing that same wonder on my children's faces when I took them to my favorite Museum in Chicago. Wonderstruck is a beautiful story of two children in different times in search of something important to them. Truly a bittersweet movie with a touching ending. It left me wanting to know what happens next for Rose and Ben.

I am a "Hugo" fan so the connection to "Wonderstruck" had me hooked. It was a lovely film. Mysterious and engaging. A bit slow, but because there is so little dialog you have to be patient for it to unfold. The parallel stories were handled very well. The black and white "silent film" technique was excellent, but again required patience. A very good family film for thoughtful pre-teens and above. No "action" or car chases. Just an excellent story.

I was intrigued by this movie. A young girl in 1927 looking for her mom. and now this young boy in 1977 Minnesota, looking for his father after seeing a bookmark for a specific bookstore in Manhattan. How are they linked together? How do he forge this? how do they meet? How does this happen? First off, I find this a very sweet movie for young kids. I am familiar with Todd Haynes other movies(i.e. Far From Heaven, which also starred Jullianne Moore), but this one took a bit getting used to. Since I saw it on here, a lot of the dark scenes, I just couldn't see. But I had to see how this would end up. It is a bit muddled on how the father passed, but I am glad that Rose's story came out well because it seemed as though the father and mother didn't want to be bothered by her at all although they were well to do. I am so glad Walter(her brother) stepped to the plate, and I loved Jamie, his friend. Very good movie for kids as well as for the hearing impaired.

One of the best motion pictures in decades in my humble opinion.(NO Spoilers within my review.)Julianne Moore is outstanding, the girl and the young boy "Ben" are real gems, especially the actors of such young ages, and many other actors and their characters are wonderful.This movie is very well written, directed, and played by all of the cast. The script is quite strong in every way, it will immerse you into the storyline, one moment you will be perplexed, shocked, happy, sad, it will make you feel happy, sad and you may even cry, to mention a few examples.No matter what emotions you may feel or reactions you may have one thing is most certain, the imagination of the author and strong writing, directing, and acting, will leave you with a feeling of satisfaction that you spent the time to watch it.If like me you are a true connoisseur of film and taste each moment individually and as a whole, you will most certainly be gobbling every bit of this film up.This film runs the gamut from the era of Chaplin and silent film to the talkies of the latter 1920s to the 1970s, and I can assure you this film is rich in taste and texture in every way possible.If you have any reservations about seeing it please take my advice and do so anyway, for although the best of films are not always packaged as lightning many times they can and do surprise you.Who knows, it just might even leave you "Wonderstruck"!

The most unusual and thought provoking movie I've seen in years, though not in the way I expected it.

This is an interesting film, but not as good as 'Hugo', I am not sure if it is aimed at children or adults.

Good

WONDERFUL! FULL MARKS! SUPERB!

Excellent