This Friday sees the release of a “coming of age” story with a couple of very interesting twists. Yes, it’s about a young woman yearning to break free of her childhood home as she approaches the end of high school. Of course, there’s all the college prep, changing friendships, and even a new budding romance. Now, here’s the big detour: she’s conflicted as she believes her folks can’t really fend for themselves. In fact, many might think that she’s really “raising” them. So there’s the conflict between exploration and guilt. And it is “inspired by real events”, in fact, it’s a dramatized take on a documentary from a couple of years ago. Plus it touches on many similar themes as a film from earlier in the month. So, with this young woman’s blossoming new life, could she be the title’s Wildflower?...
- 3/16/2023
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
For co-writer and director Matt Smukler, “Wildflower” started life as a far cry from the narrative feature film that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.
“Really, this was inspired by my niece,” Smukler told TheWrap’s Executive Editor, Awards, Steve Pond, during a visit to TheWrap and Shutterstock’s Interview and Portrait Studio at TIFF. “I went out to Las Vegas to shoot a little, tiny, short companion piece for her to get into college. She had no idea how exceptional she was. She actually thought she was very ordinary and didn’t know what to write on a college essay. … And I very quickly realized how exceptional she really is, and how incredible the whole family is.”
Smukler resurfaced the idea while working with co-writer Jana Savage on a different project. The two came to the realization that the best way to serve this coming-of-age story...
“Really, this was inspired by my niece,” Smukler told TheWrap’s Executive Editor, Awards, Steve Pond, during a visit to TheWrap and Shutterstock’s Interview and Portrait Studio at TIFF. “I went out to Las Vegas to shoot a little, tiny, short companion piece for her to get into college. She had no idea how exceptional she was. She actually thought she was very ordinary and didn’t know what to write on a college essay. … And I very quickly realized how exceptional she really is, and how incredible the whole family is.”
Smukler resurfaced the idea while working with co-writer Jana Savage on a different project. The two came to the realization that the best way to serve this coming-of-age story...
- 9/16/2022
- by Libby Hill
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Like a dutiful eldest child, Matt Smukler’s debut feature, Wildflower, adheres to the conventions of its genre. The high-spirited coming-of-age story, which follows Bea, a plainspoken teenager navigating life with neurodivergent parents, has the tumultuous high-school drama, the cheeky romance with a bashful love interest, the fight with the spunky best friend and the undulating moods of wonky relatives in desperate need of filters. These requisite beats are fulfilled by a gallery of distinctive characters. Wildflower, inspired by Smukler’s family, might not be a radical departure from films of its type, but it does offer buoyant performances from both fresh and familiar faces.
Kiernan Shipka (of Mad Men and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) leads an endearing troupe of actors with her animated portrayal of Bea. We meet her character as she lies comatose in a hospital bed, surrounded by worried family members.
Like a dutiful eldest child, Matt Smukler’s debut feature, Wildflower, adheres to the conventions of its genre. The high-spirited coming-of-age story, which follows Bea, a plainspoken teenager navigating life with neurodivergent parents, has the tumultuous high-school drama, the cheeky romance with a bashful love interest, the fight with the spunky best friend and the undulating moods of wonky relatives in desperate need of filters. These requisite beats are fulfilled by a gallery of distinctive characters. Wildflower, inspired by Smukler’s family, might not be a radical departure from films of its type, but it does offer buoyant performances from both fresh and familiar faces.
Kiernan Shipka (of Mad Men and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) leads an endearing troupe of actors with her animated portrayal of Bea. We meet her character as she lies comatose in a hospital bed, surrounded by worried family members.
- 9/12/2022
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Magic can be found in the most unlikely places in Kate Tsang’s debut feature “Marvelous and the Black Hole.” Like, for instance, the restroom at a community college summer program, where rebellious and angry teenager Sammy meets her unlikely mentor Margot (Rhea Perlman), a children’s magician who sets her on a surprising journey of personal healing.
“Marvelous and the Black Hole” is a whimsical coming-of-age story about processing life and loss through storytelling and sleight of hand.
Sammy, who has been grieving her mother’s death through bouts of light vandalism, is presented with a choice by her stern father, Angus after her latest infraction, which resulted in a toilet paper-filled bathroom stall, a sweet shiner and disciplinary action. She can either attend a summer course in entrepreneurship (with perfect grades) or get sent to a “scared straight”–style military camp. Sullen Sammy reluctantly decides to comply with community college.
“Marvelous and the Black Hole” is a whimsical coming-of-age story about processing life and loss through storytelling and sleight of hand.
Sammy, who has been grieving her mother’s death through bouts of light vandalism, is presented with a choice by her stern father, Angus after her latest infraction, which resulted in a toilet paper-filled bathroom stall, a sweet shiner and disciplinary action. She can either attend a summer course in entrepreneurship (with perfect grades) or get sent to a “scared straight”–style military camp. Sullen Sammy reluctantly decides to comply with community college.
- 4/20/2022
- by Katie Walsh
- The Wrap
To put it simply, Sammy (Miya Cech) isn’t doing too well. She’s as angsty as any other 13-year-old on a good day and vandalizing school on a bad one, assuming she’s actually at school. Chalk it up to early adolescence, sure, but it’s mostly because of family issues. Her mother has passed away and her dad, Angus (Leonardo Nam), is already seeing someone new named Marianne (Paulina Lule). Sammy isn’t a big fan of hers. Beyond giving her the silent treatment at dinner, she also… has fantasies later on about chopping her in half with a chainsaw, blood spewing everywhere?
Yes, yes she does. It’s not like this is some running gag or the type of content Marvelous and the Black Hole latches onto, but it’s emblematic of something. Despite the cutesy humor and script that is approached with the tone that would...
Yes, yes she does. It’s not like this is some running gag or the type of content Marvelous and the Black Hole latches onto, but it’s emblematic of something. Despite the cutesy humor and script that is approached with the tone that would...
- 2/2/2021
- by Matt Cipolla
- The Film Stage
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