Watch The Wizard of Loneliness

The Wizard of Loneliness is a poignant and heart-warming drama that highlights the challenges of adolescence and growing up in a world that can be harsh and lonely. Set in the rural America of the 1950s, the film follows the story of a 12-year-old boy named Wendall Oler who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his mother and his estranged relationship with his father.

Wendall is played with sensitivity and nuance by Lukas Haas, who conveys the traumas and anxieties of adolescence with remarkable clarity and maturity. His father, played by Alan Wright, is a distant and emotionally unavailable figure who seems unable to connect with his son and provide him with the love and support he desperately needs.

Into this world comes the vivacious and compassionate Lola Muldoon, played by Lea Thompson, who becomes Wendall's unlikely confidant and friend. Lola is a free-spirited and unconventional woman who has her own demons to deal with, including a stormy relationship with her boyfriend and a deep-seated fear of commitment.

Together, Wendall and Lola form a bond that transcends age and gender, and allows both of them to confront the emotional turmoil that has been holding them back. Through their conversations and shared experiences, Wendall learns to open up and express his innermost thoughts and feelings, while Lola is forced to confront her own fears and insecurities.

The Wizard of Loneliness is a film that deals with themes of loss, abandonment, and the search for connection with remarkable sensitivity and depth. Director Jenny Bowen has crafted a film that is both realistic and poignant, capturing the beauty and the pain of adolescence with a keen eye and a sensitive heart.

The film is also notable for its lush and evocative cinematography, which captures the beauty and majesty of rural America in loving detail. From the rolling hills and verdant forests to the crumbling farmhouses and dusty dirt roads, the film portrays a world that is both majestic and melancholy, full of both potential and despair.

At its core, The Wizard of Loneliness is a film about the transformative power of human connection, and the ways in which compassion and empathy can help us to overcome even the most profound traumas and challenges. It is a film that will leave viewers with a renewed sense of hope and optimism, and a deep appreciation for the power of friendship and love to heal even the deepest wounds.

The Wizard of Loneliness is a 1988 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.