Wildflower (2022) – online movie

Wildflower (2022) – A Review

„Wildflower,” directed by Matt Smukler and written by Jana Savage, is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film that revolves around the life of Bea, the daughter of intellectually disabled parents, Sharon and Derek. The film explores various aspects of Bea’s life, including her romantic relationship with fellow student Ethan, through flashbacks after she becomes comatose during her senior year in high school.

The film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Kiernan Shipka as Bea, Dash Mihok as Derek, Charlie Plummer as Ethan, Jean Smart as Peg, Alexandra Daddario as Joy, Reid Scott as Ben, Erika Alexander as Mary, Samantha Hyde as Sharon, and Jacki Weaver as Loretta.

„Wildflower” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2022, and was later released on March 17, 2023, in the United States and Canada.

The film’s development was inspired by Smukler’s niece, and it was initially conceived as a short film before being expanded into a feature. The script was eventually optioned by Morning Moon production company and produced in partnership with Limelight and Entertainment One. Throughout the development process, the filmmakers consulted with disability representation activist Elaine Hall to ensure authentic portrayal.

Upon release, „Wildflower” received mixed to positive reviews from critics. The film’s strengths were attributed to the impressive acting and skillful direction, which managed to deliver tender moments between the characters. However, some critics felt that the handling of themes, particularly disability rights, was problematic. While the ensemble cast’s performances were praised, the film struggled to stand out in the coming-of-age genre.

On Rotten Tomatoes, „Wildflower” garnered a 71% approval rating from 51 critics, with an average score of 6.3/10. The consensus on the website stated that the film benefited from its appealing ensemble cast but failed to distinguish itself as a unique coming-of-age story. On Metacritic, the film received a score of 52 out of 100, indicating „mixed or average reviews” based on seven reviews.

Some critics, like William Bibbiani from TheWrap, found the film to be indecisive in its tone, wavering between a mess and a formulaic teen drama. Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter appreciated the buoyant performances by the cast but acknowledged that the film did not stray far from the conventions of its genre.

However, there were criticisms regarding the film’s portrayal of disability. Sarah Milner of /Film expressed concerns over its approach, calling it „inspiration porn” and criticizing the depiction of Sharon and Derek as one-dimensional punchline characters. Wendy Ide, writing for Screen Daily, compared „Wildflower” to „CODA” (2021) but felt that the latter surpassed it in depicting disabled parents more thoughtfully. Charles Bramesco, in a review for ThePlaylist.net, gave the film a C- rating, stating that its exploration of themes lacked depth.

In conclusion, „Wildflower” offers a compelling ensemble cast and moments of heartfelt connection between characters. However, it falls short in effectively addressing disability representation, resulting in mixed reviews from critics.