A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time is a visually stunning science fiction masterpiece. Storm Reid as lead role, Meg Murry, can’t even be overshadowed by huge hollywood names like Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling.
This adaptation of the 1962 book by Madeleine L'Engle, is directed by Ava DuVernay and wrapped lovingly in layers of colors, costumes, and stunning visual effects .
When Meg Murry’s (Storm Reid) father (Chris Pine) goes missing, Meg’s world begins to fall apart. Her grades falter despite her former love of science. Her mother
(Gugu-Mbatha-Raw) fails to understand what is happening to Meg and loses faith in ever finding Meg’s father. Her younger adopted brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe),a child genius prodigy, becomes Meg’s only friend. The family is visited by Mrs. What-it’s (Reese Witherspoon) to learn that their father has “tessered” through time and space 91 billion light years away and they are the only ones who can save him.
Aided by Mrs. Who, (Mindy Kaling) whom only speaks in the quotes of others, and Mrs. Which (the armor and bedazzled Oprah Winfrey. Who else would you rather have on your team?) , Meg, Charles Wallace, and neighborhood friend and popular student Calvin (Levi Miller) set off to rescue Mr.Murry from a planet called Camazots. The planet is infested by darkness spreading from a brain like being called “The It” that feeds on human emotions like fear, jealousy, anger, and depression and can only be defeated by light. There is a delightful scene featuring Zach Galifianakis as the “Happy Medium," a cranky cave hermit who shares a touching moment with Meg. He draws out her vulnerabilities and true inner strengths.
I took my six year old daughter with me to see this, having never read the book and putting my faith into preview trailers, a PG rating and the magic of Disney. The stunning visuals and the relatable plot of a misunderstood nerdy girl trying to save the ones she loves and accept herself with all her flaws, brought both of us to silent tears.
At dinner we had a long conversation about “The It” and the “The Darkness” and how even though the story is fiction, the feelings are real, and the only real way to fight these things is with light and acceptance. Her face lit up at the beauty of the space traveling sequences, and she gripped my hand as Meg stood up to the It as it threaten to destroy her After all "A Wrinkle in Time" was first and foremost a story for children and pre-teens.This was a movie that is long overdue. It showcases a strong female casts of all races and ages with moments of vulnerability in all of them, and no one was a queen or a princess.
