If you have some youngsters hanging around the house, well, find A Wrinkle in Time, it’s a gorgeous film, a solid adventure, and will easily touch their sense of wonder.
As an adult I acknowledge that the most interesting part of the story was act one wherein Meg Murry (Storm Reid) is introduced. She’s a 13-year-old middle schooler who has developed an attitude that gets her either picked on by the school’s Mean Girls or results in a visit to the principal’s office.
In truth Meg has been grieving for the last four years due to the baffling disappearance of her beloved father, Dr. Alex Murry (Chris Pine), a physicist. Meg is clearly gifted, though she suffers from a damaged self-image and sense of self-worth. Her mother (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who’s also a physicist, is equally devastated by the loss of her husband, and is upset with Meg. It’s only Meg’s brother, Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), who has made some new friends that he is convinced can assist them in finding their father. As it turns out, Calvin, from Meg’s school, shows up one day and is around when Charles’ new acquaintances reveal themselves: think of them as the three Mrs. – Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling).
They are celestial, ephemeral beings that agree to help Meg and Charles Wallace and Calvin find Dr. Murry. And so off they go, into the farthest parts of the universe. It’s quite a journey and one that first introduces the kids to a kle in time and the way that the three Mrs. and Meg, et al. travel across the universe. It proves to planet of light. It’s there that they confront the IT, which represents the dark side of life – a threatening essence that the three must face alone and likely has Meg’s father. Mrs. Which tells them that IT is spreading through the universe and to be careful.
Remember, this is a kids’ movie and therefore has as its premise a complete suspension of disbelief. An example is the word “tessering,” meaning a wrinkle in time and the way that the three Mrs. and Meg, et al. travel across the universe. It proves to be a great trip (and back), filled with lessons for all of them. Older kids will enjoy A Wrinkle in Time, especially tweens and newbie teens.
A Wrinkle in Time. Directed by Ava DuVernay. Starring Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon. 1 hr., 49 min. Rated PG. Released in 2018. Now streaming on Fandango/prime/Disney+/ apple tv.