Phoebe in Wonderland
User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13

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  1. MarthaL.
    Mar 9, 2009
    10
    I cried, I laughed, I empathized. What more could I hope for?
  2. JasmineR.
    Nov 30, 2008
    10
    Intriguing, provocative, high quality character driven story!
  3. SebastianH.
    Feb 24, 2009
    10
    The subject of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland have been explored many times. This, for me, is the best film I've ever seen revolved around the Wonderland universe. The fact that the writing manages to take something that could easily be funny (such as calling a stranger fat) and making it into a very serious and unfunny moment, yet still retaining it's innocence, is astonishing. Despite all the things wrong with Phoebe, and her sadness throughout the film, I did not feel pity for her, I just simply watched this little girl struggle with her emotions and OCD, then see her shine in front of the drama class. Her over looked friend Jamie is also a very important counter piece to Phoebe. While Phoebe dislikes her uniqueness, and wants to be accepted, Jamie is the exact opposite. He is comfortable with his sexuality and isn't afraid of what the other kids think of him. His bravery to audition (and land) the role of the Red Queen shows bravery that most adults would not be able to overcome. Unfortunately the parents are the my least favorite part of the film. Although they are crucial, I just don't care for them. The mother seems to be obsessed, yet emotionally distant from her daughters, and the father might as well be invisible. However both of them do turn around in the end, and grow into actual caring parents. Now to another important character, the eccentric drama teacher. Towards the beginning she seemed a bit cliché, however her nurturing and quirky personality, really identified with Phoebe, and her methods of handling quarrels within the drama class were beautiful, caring, and truly worked. This all leads to the ultimate element that could make or break a film. The acting. Although the acting was superb as a whole, Elle Fanning really does carry this movie. For a child to pull off the complex emotions Phoebe was going through just goes to show the promise that Elle has.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
56 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Jamie Tipps
    70
    Director Daniel Barnz produces an enjoyable film that reminds us that imagination is a precious commodity which adults need to nurture by allowing kids to jump.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Duane Byrge
    80
    The mesmerizing performance of Fanning as the gifted and troubled young Phoebe sparks the picture.
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  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Ronnie Scheib
    40
    Partly produced by Lifetime, the pic attempts to elevate the disease-of-the-week movie into a moral dialectic between conformity and imagination.
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