Wildflower Movie Review (2022)
A charming coming-of-age dramedy about a teenager raised by parents with intellectual disabilities, Wildflower balances dry humor with a deeply heartfelt story about love and family.
I always enjoy it when a movie lets you know that it’s inspired by a true story. Films about dinosaurs or predator sharks are lots of fun, but when you know that something similar to the fictional narrative you’re about to see really happened, it adds a little weight to the experience. It’s cool that there’s a story to be told.
Wildflower is about Bea, a teenager being raised by her intellectually disabled parents, who met, fell in love, and, despite their parents’ concerns, had a baby. Bea is neurotypical, so she takes on a lot of responsibility for making the household run, but she also struggles with the ability to attend college and have her own future while existing in this family system.
This is an incredibly charming film with a globally likable cast of characters. Bea is a normal teen, but she’s had to grow up too quickly. While attending a private school that her aunt and uncle pay for, she has a job, a best friend, and all the worries of making sure that bills are paid, dishes are washed, and her parents go to work instead of playing games at the arcade.
Bea’s parents are wonderful – sweet, well-intentioned, and they love her and each other more than anything – but they have intellectual limitations. Mom is naive to the world, can’t drive, and isn’t aware of when food is on her face, and Dad can’t keep a job or money on hand. But still, the love between the three is palpable.
The ensemble is wonderful, including Charlie Plummer, Alexandra Daddario, Brad Garrett, Reid Scott, Erika Alexander, Jacki Weaver, and Jean Smart, but the highlights are Kiernan Shipka as Bea, Samantha Hyde as mom, and Dash Mihok as dad. To scale it down even further, Hyde is the one that I kept watching. Her sweetness and innocence with her family, her husband, and with Bea is magnetic, even when she isn’t saying anything.
Wildflower is a touching, character-driven film about family members who are committed to each other, but are struggling through something incredibly unique. It is funny and quirky, but also incredibly affecting. I got choked up twice at the earnest sweetness.
Two other things: Don’t forget that this is based on a true story, and look for a cameo from director Matt Smukler at the very end of the film. He hops into the car. Enjoy!
Runtime: 106 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Yes, I got choked up twice
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Roku, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
