Bookworm, a dramedy humorously depicting Kiwis and their quirky lifestyle is the second film directed by Ant Timpson and here’s what is motivational – Elijah Wood, as the lead actor in the much great the first movie Come to Daddy returns with his wit and gorgeousness. The story revolves around two souls who are intransigent and wish to bring a little color into their lives courtesy of each other. The film depicts complication, which from today’s perspective is quite current and relevant.
Strawn Wise played by Wood is an out of job American magician/illusionist who during the most unfortunate times returns back to his young and estranged daughter Mildred. The mother struggled with raising Mildred alone whom she has completely isolated from her father. It goes without saying that the kid got lost in books and began pretending she was traveling. But now, at the most difficult moment of her life, she wishes for a second trip — a genuine one. In fact, to the breathtaking mountains and even with her very incompetent dad. The goal: to catch a glimpse of a mystical black panther.
From this description alone, it is easy to guess that you will tell a lot of interesting stories, and as it turns out, the film is a delight to watch. The script is written in a way that people can be engaged so much — Stevie Nicks, one of the characters that definitely dominates the camera and helps in making a personal connection with the adventure. New Zealand is one of the most breathtaking places and on top of that elaborately acted by the actors in the movie makes it impossible not to instantly devour Bookworm for the combining action with beautiful scenery.
Timpson is not the first film the actor has worked on with Australian actor Elijah Wood. Another hit by screenwriter Toby Harvard, Come to Daddy and The Greasy Strangler became Prestige Timpson’s other works. There was also cinematographer Daniel Katz who worked on Come to Daddy. These familiar faces behind the cameras make quite a difference when the film feels polished and cohesive. The director, Timpson, has said that his biggest inspirations were mid-twentieth century family films which focused more on the adventure aspect of the movie. Think Swiss Family Robinson or The Adventures of the Wilderness Family but with a bit more modernity.
In Bookworm, the character Mildred is portrayed as having a passion for unearthing anything about The Canterbury Panther and proving that it is not a wishful thought. In her eyes, it is not one of those mythical beasts; if she brings back proof, she stands a chance to earn a pretty penny, and surely that will help her mother to be in a better position financially. There is an urgency to fulfill that dream when she receives news that her mother is sick, and a stranger is at her door. That is Daddy Strawn. Her father, who has been away for quite a while chasing his dream of being a famous American magician, is now a sad sight blowing balloons to match the themes of children’s parties. Oh God, the eyeliner, and the hair! That is what Strawn has been reduced to – a bad impersonation of himself.
This is the most improbably sunny of beginnings — a man forced to be a family with a woman radicalised by violence, and soon enough the two women have no choice but to learn to trust each other as Mildred takes charge and grabs the pair and begins to go on a hike into the New Zealand wilderness. But it is not quite the beasts of the wild that we have to be concerned about. This is a nice detail to leave out for the time being. You will understand when you see it, and it will be focused on changing the pace of the film in a colorful way, increasing the stakes if not the survival of our main characters.
A good movie can invariably be assessed by the availability of empathy for those who are in it. In this aspect, Bookworm is a success. The main characters Strawn and Mildred are likable and their follies are amusing even when they go too far with over-explaining, as does Mildred.
Also in Bookworm we have Michael Smiley and Vanessa Stacey as Arnold and Angelina respectively. The lovers appear in the character of Strawn and Mildred and who are central in several scenes. Here, it is Smiley who impresses. He is an actor who has been in many significant films such as The Lobster and The Other Boleyn Girl as well as in the recent Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters. His sense of timing has always been a strong feature (as in the brilliant series Spaced) and it is heavily exploited during these important moments.
And as for Wood, one would have to agree, you can easily get lost in his performance. It could be because of his long hair and make-up but his character has its intriguing sexuality and something not quite right about him. It is hard not to feel sympathy for the man he used to be — a good natured illusionist who could happily mention that he had his ‘hand magic’ and had captivating eyes. For Wood and Fisher, it seems to be a nice match, and it should be said: Watch out for Fisher. With her maturity, her self-assuredness and performance on screen, it is easy to anticipate that this actress would bag many honors in the future. Quite a similar scenario when we were seeing a younger Maggie Smith the one who would be a cross between a young Cate Blanchett and a girl. And I wouldn’t want to cross this one.
The film’s other grand star is none other than New Zealand herself, simply enchanting and magnificently presented. Now that is what I would call a sense of place. At a fundamental level this work is about understanding and forgiving but the people who created it managed to avoid any sentimentality or overemphasis on the ‘happy endings’. There’s some additional energy in the air as the thunderous panther image hovers over the narration. What’s bad about this mixture of adventure and emotion? If you know anything about parenthood and the related misadventures of parent child relationships, this film is bound to please. It can take you on a fantastic rollercoaster ride like that in Definitely, Maybe, or Captain Fantastic or even the brilliant Eighth Grade or the best of them all, 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine. Witty, engaging, and invigorated, not many would expect Bookworm to tug at the heartstrings.
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