Saturday, July 25, 2009

Phoebe in Wonderland (2008) Film Review

Plot Summary - Drama about troubled nine-year old misfit, Phoebe (Elle Fanning), who becomes obsessed with "Alice in Wonderland", a story her mother (Felicity Huffman) is busy working on for her dissertation. Phoebe is picked on in school, and seems to have a growing problem with obsessive/compulsive behavior - she washes her hands compulsively, she spits at bullying children, and she can't seem to control her mouth as she parrots things people say to her and blurts out inappropriate words. Phoebe gets the part of Alice in a new production of "Alice in Wonderland", being put on at school by an eccentric drama teacher named Miss Dodger (Patricia Clarkson). Phoebe's odd behavior patterns seem only to be in control while she is practicing in the play - - in the real world, she sometimes imagines conversations with characters from Alice. She also befriends a young boy who has dolls and a baking set, and has tried out and gotten a part in the play as the "Red Queen"!

Review - The film is colorful and compelling, with a nice message about accepting those of us who are different. I enjoyed this a lot and thought Elle Fanning did a great acting job - very believable. Nicely done - looked real good on Blu-Ray! (I am SO loving my Blu-ray player!!) Rating - 9/10 stars

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