About A Wrinkle in Time:
Meg Murry and her little brother, Charles Wallace, have been without their scientist father, Mr. Murry, for five years, ever since he discovered a new planet and used the concept known as a tesseract to travel there. Joined by Meg’s classmate Calvin O’Keefe and guided by the three mysterious astral travelers known as Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, the children brave a dangerous journey to a planet that possesses all of the evil in the universe.
A Wrinkle in Time Review
When I was in fourth grade, I read Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. It was my first attempt at science fiction/fantasy. I fell in love. The impossible became possible and my imagination soared with the stars in Meg’s world. I could not wait to see a new version of one of my favorite childhood books on the big screen. A Wrinkle in Time is not an easy book to adapt to film or television. Early versions lacked the vision to transport us to other worlds. Or, the emotional elements were missing.
It was hard not to see the reviews come in after the release of A Wrinkle in Time. Many expressed disappointment. Others were wishy-washy. Even so, there were others that enjoyed the experience. I think it’s fair to say that many were expecting a film along the lines of Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Lord of the Rings series. Still, while not as grand as those movies, A Wrinkle in Time’s simplicity is a large reason for my enjoyment.
First, you should know that A Wrinkle in Time is not a faithful adaptation. There are elements of the book that are missing. Changes are made to the worlds of Uriel and Camazotz, including some of the backstories for the Mrs. Ws. Some of the more minor characters are missing, too. If you do not like deviations in any shape or form, then you may not enjoy the film. Which is truly a shame because A Wrinkle in Time is gorgeous from beginning to end. In fact, I think the departures from the book are what make this film work.
Why A Wrinkle in Time “Worked” For Me
DuVernay’s vision of A Wrinkle in Time stayed true to the spirit of the book. The essence of what made Madeleine L’Engle’s visionary novel is there. Uriel is a wondrous, beautiful world. Rich and vibrant, it personifies the “good” in the universe. Camazotz is all that is deceptive and evil. On the surface, it appears perfect. But, dig deeper and evil festers. These universes are stunning. And the differences between the two highlight the battle between good and evil.
The cast was equally wonderful. In Storm Reid, DuVernay found Meg Murry. Reid wonderfully captured Meg’s persona. Whether Meg’s doubts, love for her father, or her adoration of her brother, Reid made you feel everything Meg was feeling. The Mrs. Ws were another delight. Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), and Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) were majestic. Each actor “fit” their role. That is to say, the casting was spot on. While Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe) was at times annoying, his occasional know-it-all smirks fit well with his role as the younger brother.
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I approached this movie from the perspective of what my fourth-grade mind envisioned. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. I laughed and cried, sometimes I winced. I watched in wonder. Especially during those scenes with Meg and her father, Alexander. A Wrinkle in Time is for the child in all of us. It is for the warrior in all of us.
A Wrinkle in Time was a lovely, family-friendly adventure. It was poignant, especially the relationship between Meg and her father. Featuring a budding romance, a young woman coming into her own, and the adventure of a lifetime, A Wrinkle in Time is the perfect feel-good film for you and your family!
Odds ‘n Ends
- When Oprah tells you to “Be a warrior….” you really have no choice! I had to restrain myself from jumping up in the theater to proclaim that I was in!
- Alexander Murry’s (Chris Pine) physical presence was only a small part, but his impact lingered throughout the movie. I mean, it is Chris Pine.
- Mindy Kaling was by far my favorite “Mrs.” Her eyes are so expressive. She also has a warm, inviting aura. I could sit and listen to her quote others all day.
- The CGI effects were AWESOME! I loved them! Contrary to others, I did not feel they were heavy-handed or over-done.
- Yes, the beginning of the movie is a bit slow. However, it made sense to me once the true action began. So, hang in there!
- Calvin’s a cutie. And his scenes with Meg are adorable. Looking forward to seeing what these actors do next!
- Last, but certainly, not least….Ms. DuVernay, when do you start filming A Wind in the Door???
Content Warning: Rated PG for thematic elements and some peril.
Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures
OVERALL RATING
“Hello, Gorgeous.”
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