#REVIEW: “A WRINKLE IN TIME”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

A Wrinkle In Time is based on the Novel of the same name by Madeleine L’Engle. The Story follows teenager Meg Murry (Storm Reid) and her little brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe). Their ambitious scientific father (Chris Pine) disappeared four years ago when he went searching for new planets using a concept called a Tesseract to travel there. When three mysterious women, called Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), show-up at the siblings’ home claiming to know where their father is, Meg, her friend Clavin (Levi Miller) and Charles go on a journey to an unknown and dangerous planet that possesses all the evil in the universe.

The Film is aesthetically-pleasing and brings L’Engle’s ambitious Novel to the big screen in a visually imaginative way. DuVernay is clearly in-love with the source material and ambitiously brings L’Engle’s world to life. Screenwriters Jennifer Lee and Jeff Stockwell stay close to the source material, rarely shying away, translating the deep themes of the Novel to the big screen. For young girls this is a powerful Film to see. The heartfelt message of learning to love yourself for everything you are, including your flaws, is compelling. And the concept of being able to banish all evil with good is timely. Yet, A Wrinkle In Time tends to be a bit clichéd even though it wholly is a unique Film.

The Film does give one breakout performance from Storm Reid and this is impressive considering this star-studded Cast. Reid carries the entire Film from beginning to end without missing a beat. Reid makes Meg relatable to any young person, and adults, because her characters flaws and perfections are in each one of us. Yet, it is Reid that is able to translate Meg’s feelings that is the true magic within her.

Reid is supported by Winfrey who plays the empathetic and powerful Mrs. Which as well as Kaling as the wise Mrs. Who. But of the three mysterious women, Witherspoon’s Mrs. Whatsit is the standout. Witherspoon’s use of melodrama adds much to this magical world that DuVernay has created. Yet, Mrs. Whatsit’s glee and skepticism are never exaggerated enough to become unbelievable. There are also some terrific appearances by Michael Peña and Zach Galifianakis that add thst something special to this distinctive Film.

A Wrinkle In Time is visually-stunning Film with a star-studded Cast which audiences should find easy to connect to.

Walt Disney Motion Studios Pictures Canada  release A WRINKLE IN TIME Friday, March 9, 2018.