Living Between Reality and Wonderland

Movie Review on Phoebe in Wonderland

Join the tea party! Get into the world of wonderland that Phoebe (Elle Fanning) gets us in to. This entertaining movie gives you a warm feeling of magic without even noticing while little Phoebe tries to deal the real world and her imagination at the same time. It’s like living in wonderland but in a more realistic way!

Phoebe Lichten – a nine year-old girl – is not like any other kid; she suffers from tourette syndrome. She has always lived in wonderland due to her mother who was writing a dissertation about wonderland. Let’s say that that Phoebe had a different way of thinking and believing things; unfortunately no one looked at it that way. Her little sister Olivia (Bailee Madison) couldn’t stand her, her insecure mother (Felicity Huffman) wanted to send her to psychiatrist, and her dad (Bill Pullman) thought that it was too much to handle.

Phoebe joined the school play of Alice in Wonderland directed by the drama teacher Ms. Dodger (Patricia Clarkson). Phoebe relaxed and felt normal while she was on stage, however, her impulsive speech and behavior might have gotten a little out of control, and took away the one thing that she wanted the most...

You can feel the magic of the moment when Phoebe takes you to wonderland. When she enters “wonderland”, like Phoebe, you feel release of tension when you are in this magical place.

Not only do you connect with the character, but understand the problem of living with tourette syndrome. When Phoebe spits on a girl --when her classmates blamed her for killing the pet-- there is tension and stress, as a result with no control she spat on her classmate. I felt that I kind of understood why uncontrollably she spat, because I connected with the character.

Happiness, tension, joy and drama: so many emotions in only one film. You get to know the character pretty well that you go through the same feelings as they do. Phoebe in wonderland gives a delightful entertainment that will leave you wanting for more!