Wendy: Beautiful Scenes, Beautiful Theme, OK Movie

“Oh boy,” I thought, walking into the theater, “a Peter Pan remake. Are all indie movies about to be based on pre-existing franchises too?” Wendy is the newest outing by Ben Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild), a mystical romp through some of the aspects of the Peter Pan story but mostly through some very impressive scenery and vague plot elements (from Peter Pan, approximately).

This film centers on Wendy, a young girl who lives above her mother’s diner by the train tracks (played excellently by Devin France) and her two twin brothers who decide to hop on a train and sneak away. The look of hopping onto a train and riding it down the countryside and coast (of somewhere vaguely American-South-like) is breathtaking and the soundtrack compliments it well. It made me seriously consider leaping onto a train. From the train there’s a boat to the island of Neverland (though the film never calls it that) where we are introduced to our lost boys (and some girls).

Showcasing the environments, especially Neverland (filmed on the volcanic island of Monsteratt), is where this film sparkles. Zeitlen’s films are known for casting children with little to no acting experience and here it has the energy of a mythical playground full of largely aimless adventures and make-believe. It also tries, largely through pieces of narration, to dissect what makes a childhood. While I liked many of the ideas that were presented it felt a touch heavy handed and sometimes out of place with what was happening. 

The big problem with this film, at least for me, was the (lack of) characterization. Many of these children felt like archetypes and some of them hardly defined ones at that. Peter is clearly the leader but he is given no development or history. Yashua Mack, the first time actor playing Peter delivers everything with a knowing smile and mischief in his eyes and does amazing work with what is given to him, making the lack of characterization hard to notice. While watching it I was swept up in the aesthetic and sonic experience that was presented before me but trying to break it down at all beyond that was challenging and ultimately futile. 

The heart of this movie, according to the director Zeitlin, is the connection between Wendy and Peter. I however, couldn’t disagree more. The heart of this story is Wendy and how she connects to everyone whether it’s her twin brothers, Peter, or Buzzo. This film is about the power of empathy and belief and being wild and all the way down to your bones yourself. Wendy is able to exemplify this in ways I never even considered. There is a line in closing narration about growing up and how you never truly will if you find magic everywhere. I found myself singing the Mother’s melody out loud on the subway all the way home. 

If you can get swept up in the visuals and music this film is worth checking out. I was certainly swept away to Neverland but much like Neverland I don’t know if you can go back after you leave and love it the same. If you can, sneak away. 

I give Wendy (Fox Searchlight Pictures; PG-13; 1hr 52mins) a 3.5 out of 5.