Wildhood (2021) Poster

(2021)

User Reviews

Review this title
14 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
8/10
I was touched by this film
rshep2012 April 2022
It was a very good effort. In a world full of cliche films this one stands out for its nuances and emotion. It deals with difficult subjects in a non-superficial way. It was a tad long but that doesnt seem to detract from the film significantly. Highly recommended for people who are tired of the same old.
24 out of 27 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
6/10
Well done
chermcguire19 June 2022
No special effects here. Just a beautiful story about 2 brothers who escape an abusive home to look for their mother. On the journey, they find a friend. Like the soundtrack too!
12 out of 13 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Underrated film
org1andrew28 May 2022
Wildhood is an incredibly touching piece of art. I appreciated how it carried its premise through to the end without resorting to cliches. The indigenous elements of the film also make it stand out in unique ways-primarily with the interesting characters they meet along the way and the setting. Finally, the chemistry between the two main characters is fantastic. I fully recommend this film.
15 out of 18 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
For select audiences
chong_an8 October 2021
A 2-spirited teen drags his younger brother along, as he escapes their abusive father and searches for their mother. Along the way, he meets people who help him become acquainted with his Mi'kmaw heritage, and to express his sexuality.

This is a good 1st feature by the writer-director. However, the film is a bit too long, the leads are a bit too slender, and the coincidences seem a bit stretched. See it if you are interested in the themes, otherwise skip it.
20 out of 43 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
Everyone deserves equal representation in movies and televsion.
blueghostskater-0189713 August 2022
I wholeheartedly believe that everyone should have access to motion picture storytelling. Movies should be made for, and made BY, every culture on planet Earth.

The positive of this is we all get to explore similar themes from a different point of view. Here, we're getting a road trip of sorts with two brothers in search of something. Accompanying them is someone more plugged into the tribe that the older of the brothers shares. But make no mistake, he's an outcast all the same because he is openly gay. The relationship they build is uneven and feels a lot like yaoi, a subgenre of Japanese anime largely written for women by women about gay men. But at least it's pretty spicy. (Or lemony as they would say.)

Filmed with an eye towards beauty, it's also extremely deliberately focused on pace. Outbursts lead to quick cuts in action. Similarly, when there are moments of reflection -- of which there are many -- the camera does not waver.

Unfortunately, the negative side of the coin is that all the tropes are here as well. Hypermasculinity and paternal abuse being the most overexposed. There are also elements of both racism and tribalism as well, though this is amusingly shown in nearly identical scenes in different convenance stores.

I think ultimately there is enough here to appreciate though. While it is absolutely never good when a movie is written, directed, and produced by one person, at least in this case it's someone who is Two-Spirit, indigenous, and obviously knows what they're talking about.
3 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Great film
dpoland-7658927 June 2022
The acting, score and cinematography is stellar. Story wise it's also really good. It is one of those rare films where I wanted the story to continue. It perfectly balanced the intersectionality of identity, culture, heritage and family. This is cinema done well and I look forward to seeing the main leads in upcoming projects.
24 out of 26 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Good movie, just a bit long for me
him0902962 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
1h 48m. However, there were few struggles or difficulties they faced, it just felt surreal. I mean, for its duration whenever they faced a challenge, they quickly got a way out. Their conflicts were often quickly resolved. Perhaps they want to focus more on heritage and culture. Or maybe I'm just expecting a heavy drama. Ignoring all that, it's actually fine. It's not a cliché and non-superficial way. Beautiful score and soundtrack, tho.

I would suggest a movie, similar but not the same, Donne-moi la main (2008). But read the plot first if you want to watch it, similar in running away from home and hitchhiking to go somewhere. I like movies with walking journee scenes.
1 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
Worth Watching
catalpafamily9 November 2023
Continuity, dialogue, and acting are somewhat inconsistent. The young boy's gauze eye patch somehow survives a raucous swim to remain in place for days (with variable appearances from day to day). Some aspects of the script are excellent, but some exchanges are so cliched that actors struggle to stay genuinely in character. That's all easy to overlook because some aspects of the acting and some shots are powerfully real, AND the overall arc is meaningful. This movie tells a good story, and I can well imagine many sorts of young people enjoying it thoroughly and being anxious to discuss it afterwards. Reaching the end of my review, I realized.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
highly recommend
hofmanswitse29 December 2022
I saw the trailer for this movie a while back on youtube and I got finally around to watching it. I'm so glad I finally got to watch it. It was just a masterpiece, from beginning to end. The acting was really great, the storyline was so touching, the dialogues were so meaningful and on top of that were the visuals breathtaking. It was so emotional but it was so worth it to go through all the feels. The themes were really well executed and the message definitely got across. I wouldn't want to change a single thing about this movie. I absolutely recommend watching this art piece. It is the best movie I have seen in 2022. Definitely in my top 5 of best movies I have ever seen.
9 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
2/10
Goes nowhere
drpeterc7 August 2022
Movie is slow, goes nowhere slowly. Dialogue is practically nonexistent and action even rarer. Don't be fooled by the high ratings as there is no point in watching until the end.
3 out of 37 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
Great movie
sourlemon0126 June 2022
Great casting, soundtrack, and coming of age story. Very emotional and touching. Some people think it's too long, but I disagree. It's the length it needed to be.
14 out of 16 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Heartwarming
jamieackerman24 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A really touching film exploring sexuality, familial bonds, and finding/expressing your true self. All the actors in this movie were great; they felt like real people, very natural at expressing both joyful and sad emotions. Also, Link and Pasmay were very cute together! I like that when they had a conflict, it was resolved quickly and with heart. The relationship between Link and his brother as well as his mother were so heartwarming to witness. The soundtrack really complimented the scenes and gave them new life. Loved watching this and I'm sure I'll continue to watch it over and over throughout my life. Truly beautiful.
7 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
LQBTQ
startrekfan7228 August 2022
First off this is not a movie for children it is exceedingly inappropriate there are bouts of nudity foul language extreme violence it is not meant for anyone under 17 NC 17 It deals with violent subject matter child abuse both physical and mental it is for NC-17 and adults anyone under 17 would not understand this film

Other than that isn't it is an extremely good film well worth the watch and the time but please if there are children in the house watch it after they go to bed.

It deals with instances of child abuse which in my mind is far too often an occurrence in this world it also deals with native American culture and gay themes it is listed under lgbtq films on Hulu but definitely worth your time.
2 out of 17 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Still unanswered questions.
slyfox-400321 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
2 brothers tired of the beatings And abuse by their alcoholic father, the boys runaway and try to find their mother.no reason given why she isn't around or why she left..along the way they eat people that help them on their journey.. it's a discovery of the older boy falling for and indigenous boy also about how he takes care of his younger.brother.

When he finally meets his mom again .she seems distant no tears hardly speaks take awhile for her to finally hug him. Why if you haven't seen.him for years you aren't extremely excited and happy to see him...why weren't the police looking for the boys ? What happened to the father did he just let em go ..? Probably the bottle meant more to him .the mother was part of a tribe and he discovered his roots too..I also thought it was a bit long some 3diting could have moved the pace along a little quick as it seemed to move very slowly in places.
0 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed