The film centers on Bea, the daughter of two intellectually disabled parents Sharon and Derek. Bea is left comatose during her senior year in high school and the film explores aspects of her life, including a romantic relationship with fellow student Ethan, through flashbacks.
Review:
Wildflower (on Hulu) really doesn’t really advance the portrayal of mentally disabled adults on film. It’s more of a script problem for the protagonist, Bea (Kieran Shipka) to get around. Can she live her life, maybe go to college, without feeling the constant need to take care and look out for them?
The mental disability here falls in the cute but quirky level. They can drive, hold down jobs and what they can’t do in terms of financials, social services can provide help for them or their fully normal parents. They did exactly for the first seven years of Bea’s life.
There is a superficial coma subplot that allows for flashbacks and time jumping, which Bea narrates with the usual teen angst and snide. Shipka does a fine job of handling anything the story may require. Her acting has a light style that’s easy to sympathize with.
Wildflower gets to acceptance despite the occasional bouts of cruelty from well-meaning older parents (Jean Smart and Jackie Weaver). Credit must be given for casting the mentally disabled actress Sharon Hyde as Bea’s mother.
Wildflower get a 3.5 out of 5 or a B+.
Credits:
Directed by Matt Smukler
Screenplay by Jana Savage
Story by • Matt Smukler
• Jana Savage
Produced by • Ethan Lazar
• Billie Lourd
• Katie McNeill
• Kyle Owens
• Chris Parker
• Jamie Patricof
• Austen Rydell
• Dylan Sellers
Starring • Kiernan Shipka
• Dash Mihok
• Charlie Plummer
• Alexandra Daddario
• Brad Garrett
• Kannon Omachi
• Reid Scott
• Erika Alexander
• Samantha Hyde
• Jacki Weaver
• Jean Smart
Cinematography Jeff Cutter
Edited by JC Bond
Music by Chad Fischer
Production • eOne
companies • Limelight
• Morning Moon
• Hunting Lane Films
Distributed by Momentum Pictures
Release dates • September 12, 2022(TIFF)
• March 17, 2023(United States)
Running time 105 minutes[1]
Country United States[2]
Language English
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