Hopefully people will understand what a big deal it is that A Wrinkle in Time, directed by Ava DuVernay from a book no one thought could be bought to the big screen, has been made and is now ready to be shown. It is one of those big risks studios sometimes take, and filmmakers like DuVernay with a lot of courage to enter the realm of the very very male. Inevitably, people will compare it to Black Panther, which it is anything but. A Wrinkle in Time is not part of a franchise, though it does have a built-in audience of fans of the book. It is an experiment, too, a question posed to the industry and the public at large: can women deliver something like this – a blockbuster that isn’t attached to any major super hero brand but instead contemplates things like metaphysics, and the meaning of life.
It’s a big move for DuVernay who has made a career on big moves and big risks. She’s gotten an Oscar nod for documentary and one for Best Picture and now she’s venturing into the realm of the blockbuster. Audiences have been conditioned to know what they’re getting ahead of time – a kind of fast food experience where you know what you’re getting going in. You know, by now, what kind of story arc the film will have and that it will leave you wanting more by the end, to set you up for the sequel. Young people especially have been raised to respond to branding. A Wrinkle in Time is going to challenge that, without a doubt. I have not yet seen it, by the way.
I expect there will be some people who love it, and some who don’t. I expect it will be something entirely new and strange for audiences who are used to the familiar universe introduced to them long ago by the same movie they’ve seen over and over again dressed up as different movies. I hope that minds can remain open. Taking big risks in Hollywood rarely happens anymore – and the reason it doesn’t happen is because movies have become too expensive and the status quo taste has flatlined around one kind. Here’s hoping we can open up the conversation a little.
Here are some tweets.
I am the first woman to make a fantasy film at this price point. I've not seen a feminine touch to fantasy. I'm not trying to make a film like a boy. I'm making this film like a girl from Compton. – @ava #WrinkleInTime #DCU2018
— Film Independent (@filmindependent) February 22, 2018
My second viewing of #WrinkleInTime and it was beautiful to watch and witness! The visual effects were groundbreaking and I loved the performances from these actors. Kids and adults will love and appreciate this film!
— Jamie “I Am Meg Murry” Broadnax (@JamieBroadnax) February 27, 2018
With extraordinary vision and a big pounding heart, A Wrinkle in Time is a gorgeous love letter to the next generation of warriors. #lovelovelove pic.twitter.com/VUekIk9fH6
— Kat Candler (@katcandler) February 27, 2018
Loved the message and story from the book and love how @ava transformed it for the big screen. Also, it was heartwarming seeing other directors like Ryan Coogler and JJ Abrams show their support at the premiere. #WrinkleInTime
— Kirbie Johnson (@kirbiejohnson) February 27, 2018
There are mixed reactions, too, from the blogerati so far – but it’s to be expected. You can’t take big risks without it.
My daughter ( who is a teen) love the book so we are going to see the movie next week. The book doesn’t have the same love as Harry Potter or The Hunger Game. I do hope the movie finds a it’s audience.
You can’t expect anything less than Sasha going over the top for a blockbuster-type film directed by a black woman.
But there’s nothing more telling than the fact that a week from its release…you barely hear a word about it.
Meanwhile risks like Thor Ragnarok and Black Panther already had reviews, comments and people going crazy at this point.
Not looking good Sasha.
I for one will be the first to admit that white men have ruled Hollywood since Day One and it is high time that we get a better variety of voices telling stories in cinema. That being said, failures must be acknowledged much in the same way that triumphs must be, no matter how hard it is to admit. DuVerney is a good director, but this…this is not indicative of that talent. The film is a flop, and failure to admit that doesn’t do anyone any favors.
My daughter ( who is a teen) love the book so we are going to the movie. Among young people, the book doesn’t have the same love as Harry Potter or The Hunger Game. I doubt if general audiences had read the book. At best the movie will appeal to a niche audience.
Most reviews seem to be disappointing actually. I know someone who worked on the film, and they were struggling to finish it.
Most reviews seem to be disappointing actually. I know someone who worked on the film, and they were struggling to finish it.
This looks visually interesting, but I’m worried it’ll be too over the top and end up being garbage like “Alice in Wonderland”. Hopefully it’s better than the trailers let on.
This looks visually interesting, but I’m worried it’ll be too over the top and end up being garbage like “Alice in Wonderland”. Hopefully it’s better than the trailers let on.
The trailer alone is already leaps and bounds better than the early 80’s adaptation. As a big fan of the book from my childhood, I can’t wait to see what DuVernay has done with this! The previous version was TERRIBLE!
The trailer alone is already leaps and bounds better than the early 80’s adaptation. As a big fan of the book from my childhood, I can’t wait to see what DuVernay has done with this! The previous version was TERRIBLE!
“Can women deliver”? Who cares what the gender of the director is – just make a good movie and the people will come. I can’t wait until we get past this when we don’t have to hand stars out every time a women/Afican-American/etc. directs a movie.
Personally, this movie isn’t really doing it for me and probably won’t see it in theaters, but I hope it does well.
Unfortunately, the hollywood machine cares. Unfortunately, gender still matters, and if this doesn’t deliver, which I don’t see how it won’t – excellent director, great cast and revered source material – it will set this trail that has been blazed back a step. It’s unfortunate to think that way, but I think Hollywood still has a long, long, long way to go.
“Can women deliver”? Who cares what the gender of the director is – just make a good movie and the people will come. I can’t wait until we get past this when we don’t have to hand stars out every time a women/Afican-American/etc. directs a movie.
Personally, this movie isn’t really doing it for me and probably won’t see it in theaters, but I hope it does well.
Unfortunately, the hollywood machine cares. Unfortunately, gender still matters, and if this doesn’t deliver, which I don’t see how it won’t – excellent director, great cast and revered source material – it will set this trail that has been blazed back a step. It’s unfortunate to think that way, but I think Hollywood still has a long, long, long way to go.