If you love a convoluted plot that tries desperately to tug at your heartstrings while really achieving nothing, 'Wander Darkly' is the movie for you. Directed by Tara Miele and starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna, this 2020 film attempts to explore themes of trauma, relationships, and existential crisis after a couple survives a car crash. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, the film is lauded by some for its creative ambition, but let's face it – it leaves you wandering, darkly confused.
This psychological drama wants to be much more than it is. From the get-go, it dives into the ominous with Adrienne (Miller) and Matteo (Luna) grappling with the fallout of their near-death experience. But beneath the facade of artistic pretension, what does the film really offer? It's a mishmash of disjointed timelines and fragmented memories. The narrative tries hard to be innovative but ends up being a puzzle with too many missing pieces.
Wouldn't it be something if Hollywood could ditch the leftist agenda and deliver straightforward plots for a change? But no, 'Wander Darkly' falls into the trap of indulging philosophical meandering without staying rooted in common sense. The film flashes between the real and the surreal, with Adrienne contemplating life, death, and everything in between. But what's the point of this existential parade if it doesn't lead to enlightenment or even entertainment?
We know this film is vying for emotional depth, but rather than diving in, it makes a splash in the shallow end. Movies with a purpose should offer more than just a journey of confusion masked as complexity. By trying too hard to be artsy-fartsy, it alienates the average viewer who just wants to be entertained without the headache of decoding a jigsaw of existential dread.
Sienna Miller admittedly delivers a committed performance, as does Diego Luna. But even their earnest portrayals can't save the film from feeling like a disjointed art project rather than a polished piece of cinema. It's almost as if the emotional chemistry between the characters is lost in a haze of introspective noise.
The visuals are often praised, but let's be honest: stunning cinematography can only do so much when the story doesn't hold up. This film excels in wrapping an average plot in a beautiful bow, but when you unwrap it, you find little substance. It's like getting a massive box for Christmas only to realize the gift inside is a coupon.
Some might call it a “poignant exploration of love and loss.” I call it liberal Hollywood trying to shove another artistic lecture down our throats. Western cinema seems obsessed with providing so-called “rich” narratives that lack simplicity and authenticity. Films like 'Wander Darkly' should be a lesson to storytellers: beautiful chaos isn't a substitute for clarity and resonance.
Perhaps if the film had focused on honing a straightforward storyline without the gimmicks of shifting realities, it might have left a more enduring impact. However, it leaves the audience with more questions than answers. And not in the thought-provoking way – in the frustrating, head-scratching way.
Instead, it clumsily attempts to bridge the gap between life and the afterlife, dancing around questions of purpose without committing to meaningful revelations. There's a lack of resolution and an abundance of ambiguous monologues that do little besides showcase the actors' ability to deliver lines filled with abstract angst.
In a world where narrative clarity is increasingly underrated, 'Wander Darkly' serves as yet another example of a film lost in its quest for profundity. Don't get fooled by the allure of philosophical complexity. Sometimes, the simplest stories have the greatest impact. And while this film certainly strives for depth, it forgets the value of straightforward storytelling in the process. As such, it exists in the cinematic purgatory of trying too hard to be meaningful without ever hitting the mark.