‘Wonder Wheel’ is the latest production from writer/director
Woody Allen. Many of his films have garnered huge praise over the
decades, with the evergreen helmer showing no signs of slowing down.
Whilst his personal life has made headlines for all the wrong reasons,
professionally his work has stood the test of time. He isn’t one to
suddenly change his creative spots and ‘Wonder Wheel’ is no different. As
interesting and engaging is previous movies, ‘Wonder Wheel’ spins a web in the
uniquely engrossing Allen style.
Ginny (Kate Winslet) is the wife of carousel operator Humpty
(Jim Belushi). Living the life of a carnival spouse on Coney Island
during the 1950’s, Ginny becomes bored. When Mickey (Justin Timberlake),
a lifeguard, suddenly arrives on the scene Ginny’s world is turned upside
down. It becomes further askew when Humpty’s daughter Carolina (Juno
Temple) arrives and also falls for Mickey. Throw in a cabal of dangerous
criminals from Carolina’s past, the possibility for a less than idyllic
existence dramatically increases.
‘Wonder Wheel’ is vintage Allen. Whilst it isn’t
consistently hilarious and certainly isn’t a comedy, his gift in digging deeply
into his characters remains. Winslet delivers a powerhouse performance as
Ginny, a neurotic housewife desperate for escape. Although living in a
world of delivering fantasy to the masses, her desires for her own fantasies
lead to a path of emotional turmoil. Allen knows how to wring a lot from
his fine ensemble who successfully conveys the fears and frustrations of their
roles with occasional actor Timberlake effectively mirroring Winslet’s acting
talent.
Another star of ‘Wonder Wheel’ is cinematographer Vittorio
Storaro who brings the 1950’s seaside to colourful life. This is one of
the few recent Allen films to fully embrace the surrounds in which his
characters live with the sometimes stagey feel of his stories opened up more
here. Although his movies can be an acquired taste, Allen knows how to
write a captivating story such as ‘Wonder Wheel’. His characters may be
ones you would avoid at any cost in real life, he makes you care what happens
to them with the film’s dreamily lush look adding to the script’s atmosphere.
Allen’s films have been described as cinematic works of
art. ‘Wonder Wheel’ certainly looks dazzling and adds another creative
feather to the Allen repertoire. Those who have followed his work for
years should be satisfied with his latest with his skills for strong
characterisation still intact.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 7
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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