Stometer
Save your money for something good and enjoyable
Kamila Bell
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
SnoopyStyle
Phoebe Lichten (Elle Fanning) suffers OCD and other behavior problems. She has trouble coping with other kids. Her mother Hillary (Felicity Huffman) is defensive. She takes Phoebe and younger sister Olivia (Bailee Madison) to the ballet. Phoebe is so enchanted that she signs up for 'Alice in Wonderland' with teacher Miss Dodger (Patricia Clarkson). Her male friend Jamie gets the Queen of Hearts role while she gets Alice. Hillary is writing her dissertation on Alice and Phoebe often daydreams as Alice. As she deteriorates, her parents send her to see psychiatrist Dr. Miles. Olivia is sick of her sister. There is disruption in class as the kids fight.Elle shows her acting ability. She is able to hold the screen while doing some difficult work as the unstable character. The movie has a few issues. Miss Dodger explaining the meaning of the word faggot is wrong-headed. It's also literally the wrong use in a deliberate way that is false. There is one scene where all the kids start attacking her verbally and the teacher does nothing. It seems unlikely even with the evil teacher trope. The only way I can see that work is if Phoebe imagined most of it. It's possible but awkward story telling. There are other little issues that keep the movie from being its best although Elle Fanning is undeniable.
Kirpianuscus
a charming puzzle. high performances. and admirable work of Elle Fanning. a film who remands the colors of childhood and, in same measure, the status of contemporary family. a film about refuges and the need of the other. fresh, amusing, melancholic, honest. about a girl and her strange world. about a teacher who gives more than inspiration. about a mother looking her role in her life. profound pledge for old fashion values, it is an open window to a magnificent definition of small things. and that fact does it special. because it is a trip in the heart of things with profound delicacy. a film about the sense of things. as child. as adult. as part of the others existence.
StarSassy
Elle Fanning was just.. I have no words. Why didn't she get any fame from this and yet she did for Somewhere, where she didn't do much? She was brilliant in Phoebe In Wonderland. She really made the film a whole lot better. At first I thought it was going to be boring but now I have changed my mind completely. If nobody has watched this yet, then I think you should. This isn't a kids film, which at first, I thought it was. The Trailer makes it look like It's about a girl who gets a role In an play, but actually there's more to it than meets the eye. I especially liked the part where Phoebe's mum noticed that Phoebe had been hurting herself, I actually got tears In my eyes.
dianak1106
*First I would like to start by saying that this is not a movie for children. I've seen in displayed in the children's section at many video stores. The subject matter is a little too intense for young kids.* Elle Fanning is wonderful as Phoebe Lichten, a disturbed little girl simply trying to find her way in a confusing world. Her harried mother Hillary (perfectly portrayed by Felicity Huffman) tries to find a way to relate to her daughter so that she can help her overcome her inner struggles. She knows Phoebe is special but, has a hard time coming to terms with her daughter's psychological issues and like many mothers, she blames herself. It's a story we've seen before many times, yet it's told in a way that it brings whimsy and hope and even a few laughs.I don't want to spoil the movie so I can only say, go into it with an open mind. You need to be able to see past "Wonderland" in order to truly enjoy what this movie brings to the table.
