Review of Wendy

Who said, "What if Terrence Malick directed Peter pan?" This is the type of movie that my parents would call "artsy fartsy". That's not to say it's an art house movie though. The movie is quite heartfelt and full of child like wonder. As far as I can tell, this is devoid of pretense. The young cast is shockly good and it has an engaging atmosphere. I can't say this is particularly narrative driven or really even character driven. It's definitely closer to a Tree of Life type of movie. In that, it acts as a sort of perfume, sparking nostalgic feelings or thoughts. Even though this seems to be a movie made as more of a raw, off the cuff experience, there is a clear story here. It's not complicated but it's pretty distinct and acts as a literal commentary on life. The movie follows Wendy, who runs away from home with her brothers to neverland in the hopes of staying young. As the film progresses you learn that kids only stay young when they keep being wild and free. If they start to get depressed they turn into adults. Which, again, is a pretty clear metaphor for life itself. Sometimes you feel like a kid until, one day, you have to be an adult. It's rarely a decision any one makes. This element of the film is by far the most compelling. I can't say I got attached to any character really which may be why I didn't really connect with this. Again, I like the ideas it presents and themes it carries but the story is a little dry. There are some genuinely captivating moments that boosted tremendously by the gorgeous cinematography and music. However, I still felt a little separation from this. It's hard to put into words since this seems like the exact sort of thing I would like. Maybe it's the pacing being a little off or the story not developing much of interest outside of the themes or maybe even because this all couched in a Peter Pan movie. I can't exactly put my finger on it. I mean, I still quite liked it. It's definitely a unique experience and one I could see myself revisiting and possibly liking more.