The Wonders
Seen it?2014 | 112 min | Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In the Tuscan countryside, a family of traditional honey farmers struggles to make ends meet. The household consists of only daughters—four of them—led by the eldest, Gelsomina, who takes on the responsibilities of the family. When a small boy is sent to stay with them for rehabilitation, their routine is disrupted. As financial troubles threaten their home, Gelsomina sees an opportunity in a reality TV contest searching for 'Italy’s Most Traditional Family.' Willing to expose their secluded life for the prize money, she clashes with her father’s rigid ways in a bid to secure their future.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 27K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Alice Rohrwacher
- Maria Alexandra LunguGelsomina
- Alba RohrwacherAngelica
- Sam LouwyckWolfgang
- Sabine TimoteoCocò
- Agnese GrazianiMarinella
- Monica BellucciMilly Catena
- André HennickeAdrian
- Luis HuilcaMartin
- Eva Lea Pace MorrowCaterina
- Maris Stella MorrowLuna