Wildflower

Author(s): Douglas Hall
Location: N/A

"Wildflower"

Written and Directed by Jane Campion
Produced by Harvey Weinstein, Jane Campion
Cinematography by Russell Carpenter
Musical Score: James Horner

Principal Cast:

Christina Ricci … Christine Weathers
Derek Luke … Randall White
Kirsten Dunst … Lillian Millicent “Peg” Entwistle
Kate Winslet … Bette Davis
Anna Paquin … Irene Dunne
Debra Messing … Myrna Loy
Diane Wiest … Marilyn Stanforth
Brandon Routh … Victor Weathers
Kate Beckinsale … Jennifer Clarke

Tagline: “She wanted to be like her … the girl who became an image of tragedy and failure – Hollywood Style"

Synopsis:

2006:
Christine Weathers (Christina Ricci) is a 24-year old woman suffering from depression. Currently living in a trailer park with her mother (Dianne Wiest), trying to support her twelve-month-old baby boy who is in a major custody battle with the father (Brandon Routh), a more rich and well-loved executive manager of a major American business. He wants to take the kid and start a “new” family with a clothing designer (Kate Beckinsale), while Christine remains isolated as a heroin-addicted piece of trailer trash.

1932
Lillian “Peg” Entwistle (Kirsten Dunst) has always dreamt about a life of fantastic glamour as an actress. She works and makes friends with actress Bette Davis (Kate Winslet) and they appear in an underground play. Unfortunately, Peg’s turn for success reaches in the opposite direction than she anticipated. While Mrs. Davis abandons her when she becomes a major star and sex symbol, loved by all. After finally getting a role in the 1932 film ‘Thirteen Women” with co-stars Irene Dunne (Anna Paquin) and Myrna Loy (Debra Messing), which became a flop, she never receives another part in a motion picture. This causes her to take drastic measures.

September 18, 2006
It is on this day that Christine begins to have thoughts of suicide. And although she realizes she may still get to see her kid, she cannot stand the thought of having another woman brainwashed as his mother into his head. While planning to commit suicide by pathetically jumping off of a small bridge with a stone tight on her ankle, she is come upon by a kind man named Randall (Derek Luke) who doesn’t realize what she’s doing because of a small brain dysfunction. He takes her on a “date” to his father’s own property – the Hollywood sign. Here they have the most romantic time as Christine realizes, although he is being romantic – it would be a great idea to jump off the big ‘H’.

September 18, 1932
It is on this night that Peg would make the bravest decision she can and makes a landmark in Hollywood history. After fueling up on much alcohol, feeling tipsy – Peg climbed to the top of the big ‘H’ on the, then, Hollywoodland sign – and let herself fall toward the ground, falling to her death - escaping away from her dream come true gone nightmare.

What the press would say:

“The first thing I am going to say about this film is that it is one hell of a great movie, although many of the film’s storyline are completely fictional, being based on an infamous Hollywood legend, this film is absolutely amazing! A great movie with a great feminine power under the great direction of Jane Campion.” – Roger Ebert, ‘Ebert & Roeper’

With fantastic scene after fantastic scene, this is a wonderful movie that is visually dazzling at portraying the 30s and nowadays and showing the sadness beneath the surface of what is constricted. The best thing about the movie is its performances by Christina Ricci and Kirsten Dunst sparkle up the picture. Christina Ricci with a perfect confused performance as “trailer trash” and Kirsten Dunst portraying a wannabe actress, suffocating from not having the attention she believes she deserves.

In supporting performances, it dazzles with Kate Winslet in an Oscar-worthy portrayal as Bette Davis, playing her with comic wit, cruelness, and greatness. She is unforgettable! Anna Paquin and Debra Messing are mesmerizing as Irene Dunne and Myrna Loy, bringing a sense of the 1930s into the picture with surprisingly terrific ease. Another great supporting performance worthy of Mr. Oscar is Derek Luke who, in his twenty minutes, shines as the mentally handicapped man who is in love with a woman who refuses to accept it and wants nothing but to, well, die! He plays the man with such a great insincerity and sweetness that you love him and ultimately feel bad for him. He does give a great performance!

The film is most notable for its climactic final sequence where Christine stands atop the ‘H’ and gets ready to jump. She hears a baby whine. Looking back, she sees her baby boy in the arms of a blonde-haired woman, dressed in 30s clothing, the scent of Gardenia perfume. It is then when the woman hands her child to her, giving her a look of disappointment and we realize the message. Ending life on the hard edge can ruin, a possibly great future. Not only for you, but also for the people you love. As Peter Travers says, “This is great storytelling on a grand and rare scale! “

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:
Best Picture
Best Director – Jane Campion
Best Original Screenplay – Jane Campion
Best Actress – Christina Ricci
Best Actress – Kirsten Dunst
Best Supporting Actor – Derek Luke
Best Supporting Actress – Kate Winslet
Many Technical Awards …