Violet's Possible Romantic Adventure

Bruce Von Stiers

There have been many coming-of-age films over the years. Some are dramas, some are comedies, and some are heart-tugging, tear jerkers.

Every so often, a film will come around that mixes drama with fantasy to offer a slightly different approach to coming-of-age. One such film is Wonderwell. It takes a twelve-year-old girl and provides her with a unique way to have her first brush with romance.

Violet is the girl that I just mentioned. She is in Italy with her family. Her sister, Savannah, has a chance to be a model for a new clothing line from fashion icon Yana. But things, and people, might not be what they seem.

Violet was played by Kiera Milward. A relative newcomer, Wonderwell was Kiera's first film. She is currently training at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. Nell Tiger Free was Savannah. She had recurring roles in Game of Thrones and Too Old To Die Young. And Nell has a co-starring role in the show Servant. Rita Ora was Yana. Not only is she a talented singer/ songwriter, Rita has acted in several films, including Twist, a Kung Fu Panda film and a recurring role in the Fifty Shades franchise.

Violet really wants to be a bit more grown up, maybe even to try to be someone like Savannah. But her father thinks she should just stay the way she is. He gives her an analogy of a drain plug that when opened, lets everything out. By that, he means her innocence. In addition to the growing up thing, Violet thinks she might be a witch.

Violet accidentally causes a scene while Savannah and other girls are being ogled by the photographer, Franco. It seems that Franco will have a say in who the next model will be for Yana. Franco was played by Vincent Spano, whose long list of screen credits include films such as Indian Summer and Torch.

Violet then meets Daniele, an Italian boy who just happens to be Yana's stepson. When Violet talks of exploring the woods outside the city, Daniele warns her of a witch who lives there. Sebastian Croft was Daniele. He was in an episode of Doom Patrol and several episodes of Heartstopper along with playing a young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones.

Well, Violet does go exploring in the woods. And that's when things change for her forever. She meets a witch, Hazel, who directs her towards an adventure. That adventure begins with opening a huge drain plug in a clearing in the woods. Remember the drain plug I mentioned earlier? That fits right in with this part of the story. Violet ends up on the other side of the plug, in a world that is just like the one she came from, only somehow different.

Hazel was played by Carrie Fisher. This was the last film that she made. I guess I should explain this. Wonderwell was filmed seven years ago. I'm not sure why, but the film is just being released now. Although Carrie had her first major role in Star Wars, she had nearly one hundred screen credits as an actor and a couple of dozen others as a screenwriter and script doctor. Carrie was absolutely delightful in her role as Hazel.

In this other world, Violet's parents are more than a bit selfish and Savannah is much more set on being Yana's key model. And there is something romantic that just might be happening between Violet and Daniele. But jealousy and betrayal rear their ugly heads and make things not so perfect. There is a tension between Violet's mom and dad that might prove volatile. And there is something just not quite right about the whole model selection process.

Megan Dodds played Violet's mom, Chloe. She has been in many film and had recurring roles in shows such as CSI:NY. And Adam, Violet's dad, was played by Lloyd Owen. From a recurring role on a Lord of the Rings series, to an episode of Death In Paradise, he has more than fifty screen credits.

Vlad Marsavin was the director of Wonderwell. This was his feature film directorial debut. He had previously directed a couple of short films. He also produced the film along with Alexander Roos and Fred Roos, who produced such films as Apocalypse Now and The Godfather Part II. Orian Williams and Lee Rudnicki were also producers on the film. Williams produced films such as The Last Movie Star and Creation Stories. Rudincki produced Man From Reno and Margarine Wars.

William Brookfield wrote the screenplay for the film. It was based on a short story that he wrote. Some of his previous screen credits include Kidnapping Mr. Heineken.

William Ross was in charge of the music for Wonderwell. His orchestration can be found in The Marksman and the new Indiana Jones film. The main song for the film, Violet's Theme, was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and was composed by Angelo Badalamenti. His previous work can be found in the series Twin Peaks and films such as Mulholland Drive.

Some of the additional actors in the film included Niccolo Besio, Enzo Attanasio, Judith Boik and Helene Cardona.

Wonderwell was a thoroughly entertaining film. It has family drama, an appealing fantasy adventure, and a hint of danger and possible evil lurking just under the surface. The film touches on the possible loss of innocence and the charm of a budding romance.

Wonderwell is now available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Vudu and other online and steaming venues.

It has a PG-13 rating and a run time of little over an hour and a half.

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© 2023 Bruce E Von Stiers