free spirit (or a real child), torn between wanting
complete freedom and knowing that it can’t last.
There is much of “Beasts” in the DNA of “Wendy,”
and Zeitlin’s aesthetic is no less enchanting, nor
is his magic with novice child actors. Yet “Wendy”
comes up short compared to “Beasts.” There is a
lack of that manic spark that made his breakout
so undeniable. With its repetitiveness and lack of
structure, it’s even a little tedious at times.
And yet it’s so sincere that it’s hard to pick on
“Wendy” for some wheel-spinning, or even the
sullen whimsy of it all. It’s headed somewhere
good and worthwhile: This ending could warm
the hearts of even the most grown up grown-
ups in the audience.
“Wendy,” a Searchlight Pictures release, is rated
PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of
America for “for brief violent/bloody images.”
Running time: 112 minutes. Two and a half stars
out of four.
MPAA Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material
may be inappropriate for children under 13.
WENDY | Official Trailer | FOX Searchlight