Wonderstruck Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two deaf kids, in different eras, ditch their homes to find their parents, only to discover that museums are just fancy storage units for family secrets.

🍿 Wonderstruck: Detailed Plot Synopsis

1977: Ben’s Journey Begins

In 1977, Ben, a young boy living in Minnesota, experiences a tragic loss when his mother passes away. Grieving and longing to know his father, whose identity his mother kept secret, Ben discovers a mysterious bookmark in one of her books, sparking a quest to find his father in New York City. Shortly after his mother’s death, Ben loses his hearing in a freak lightning strike, adding another layer of challenge to his journey.

1927: Rose’s Silent Escape

Fifty years earlier, in 1927, Rose, a deaf girl living in Hoboken, New Jersey, yearns for a connection with her mother, Lillian Mayhew, a famous silent film actress. Feeling neglected by her father, Rose escapes to New York City, hoping to find her mother and a sense of belonging. The story unfolds in black and white, reminiscent of silent films from that era, mirroring Rose’s experience of the world.

Worlds Collide in New York City

Both Ben and Rose find themselves in New York City, navigating the bustling streets and iconic landmarks in search of their respective parents. Their paths intertwine thematically as they explore the city’s museums and libraries, each seeking answers to their personal quests. The American Museum of Natural History plays a significant role, offering clues and connections between the two stories.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ben (Oakes Fegley): A recently orphaned boy who loses his hearing and runs away to New York to find his father.
• Rose (Millicent Simmonds): A deaf girl in 1927 who runs away to New York to find her actress mother.
• Lillian Mayhew (Julianne Moore): A silent film actress and Rose’s mother, later revealed to be connected to Ben.
• Elaine (Michelle Williams): Ben’s mother, whose death sets his journey in motion.
• Walter (Cory Michael Smith): Rose’s older brother who works at the museum and helps her.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ben: “How do you know my name?” – Ben asks this question, expressing his surprise and curiosity about how someone he just met knows his name.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,060,377
• Worldwide Gross: $3,285,916

💥 Wonderstruck Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Wonderstruck’ to be a deeply moving experience. The way the film shifted between Rose’s silent world and Ben’s colorful reality was incredibly effective. I was particularly touched by the scenes in the American Museum of Natural History; they brought back so many childhood memories. The final reveal was a bit predictable, but it didn’t diminish the overall emotional impact of the film for me. The music and visual storytelling really moved me and brought me back to when I was a kid.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas.”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about deafness and disability.”
  • “Families looking for a thoughtful and visually appealing film.”
  • “Those who enjoy stories with a strong connection to art and museums.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief moments of emotional distress.”
  • “Themes of loss and abandonment.”
  • “Some scenes may be slow-paced for younger viewers.”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Todd Haynes crafts a visually stunning and emotionally resonant tale of childhood longing. The parallel storylines are beautifully interwoven, creating a poignant reflection on family and connection. The art direction and music are also amazing.
• The New York Times: “The movie is remarkable on a number of levels: the 1927 scenes are in B&W and play out as a silent movie. One evening, Ben and his new friend Jamie are hiding in a secret room at the American Museum of Natural History, and you can’t help but think back to “A Night at the Museum”. Oakes Fegley, the boy playing Ben, carries the movies on his young shoulders, and quite capably at that.
• Kids First! Film Critic.: “Wonderstruck tells two similar stories that have a connection. One story concerns a twelve-year-old boy, Ben, in the 1970s, who, after losing his Mom, decides to run away and look for his father in the big city. Luckily, when he arrives in NYC he makes a friend, Jamie, who takes him to the American Museum of Natural History.The other story follows a young girl, Rose, in the late 1920s.

Audience Reactions

The parallel stories were confusing and the pace of the film could be slow.: Those who enjoyed it loved the visual style, the themes, the music and the child actors

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and emotionally resonant film, praised for its unique storytelling and strong performances, but criticized for its slow pace and somewhat predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Millicent Simmonds, who plays Rose, is deaf in real life, adding authenticity to her performance.”
• “The movie is based on a novel by Brian Selznick, who also wrote ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret,’ which was adapted into the film ‘Hugo’.”
• “Director Todd Haynes is known for his meticulous attention to detail in recreating different time periods, as seen in his previous films like ‘Carol’ and ‘Far From Heaven’.”
• “The 1927 scenes are filmed in black and white to emulate the style of silent films, while the 1977 scenes are shot with a grainy, desaturated look to capture the feel of 1970s cinema.”
• “The American Museum of Natural History plays a significant role in both storylines, serving as a common ground for the two characters separated by time.”

🖥️ How to Watch Wonderstruck?

Wonderstruck is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for streaming availability or consider purchasing a physical copy for your collection.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Wonderstruck, you might like these similar films:

• Hugo (2011): Both films are based on books by Brian Selznick and feature children on a quest, set against the backdrop of historical periods and a celebration of cinema and museums.
• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011): This movie features a young boy dealing with loss and searching for answers in New York City, similar to Ben’s journey in Wonderstruck.
• Midnight in Paris (2011): Features a character drawn to an earlier era and engages with the silent film world which Rose is part of.
• The Goonies (1985): Features a group of kids on a quest for something important, creating a sense of adventure and discovery.

🛒 Wonderstruck Related Products

• Wonderstruck: A Novel: The book is also written and Illustrated by Brian Selznick. Immerse yourself further in the story of Ben and Rose with this captivating novel that inspired the film.
• American Museum of Natural History: Diorama Building Kit: A miniature replica of the exhibits featured in the movie. Bring the world of the museum to life!
• Beginner’s Guide to ASL: Learn ASL with beginner friendly tips and visuals, allowing you to engage in more authentic communication

🎧 Soundtrack

Wonderstruck features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Space Oddity” – performed by David Bowie
• “Main Title From ‘The Fury'” – performed by John Williams

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Handwriting practice in Tamil || Calligraphy in Tamil #tamil #handwriting #calligraphy #cursive

Ever wondered about the beauty of Tamil calligraphy? This video offers a fascinating look at handwriting, and while it might seem unrelated at first, the channel is named ‘Wonderstruck’, suggesting it maybe drawing on the movie’s theme of wonder! Give it a watch, you might just discover something new.

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