‘Wonderstruck’
Director: Todd Haynes.
Cast: Julianne Moore, Millicent Simmonds, Michelle Williams.
Rating: PG.
Note: At Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square.
Great Fair Bad
Good Bomb
as blistering for the viewer as spoken words.
Problem is, the ‘70s-set counterpoint just doesn’t measure up to the filmmaking artistry. It’s not bad, per se, but Ben getting lost in New York and finding a surprisingly loyal friend in a local boy (Jaden Michael) lacks the nuance of Rose’s path — at least until Moore shows up for a welcome injection of storytelling starpower. At the very least, Wonderstruck doubles down on Moore’s typically impressive acting and lets Williams also shine via flashback.
Relationships are revealed and wrapped in a way that’s a little too neat, and the weak link is obvious (sorry, Ben). Still, youngsters don’t often get awardsseason fare like this that they can sink their teeth into, and Wonderstruck works best as half of a great silent film and, with Simmonds, the showcase of a star being born.