Watch The Wonders

The Wonders is a critically acclaimed Italian drama film from 2014 written and directed by Alice Rohrwacher. Featuring an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Alba Rohrwacher as Angelica, Maria Alexandra Lungu as Gelsomina, and Sam Louwyck as Wolfgang, the movie tells the story of a family of beekeepers living in the Tuscan countryside.

The movie follows Gelsomina, the eldest daughter of the family, as she prepares for an upcoming local festival where she hopes to enter her family's honey in the Honey Competition. However, her dream is challenged by the arrival of Wolfgang, a TV producer in search of a local family to feature on his reality show, "Countryside Wonders."

Wolfgang's arrival creates tension within the family, and Gelsomina is torn between her loyalty to her parents and her fascination with the glamorous TV world. Meanwhile, her father, who is struggling to keep the family's beekeeping business afloat, sees Wolfgang's offer as a potential solution to their financial problems.

As Gelsomina becomes more involved in the TV production, her relationships with her family and her sense of self are tested. She meets a group of eccentric performers who challenge her worldview and encourage her to explore her artistic ambitions. As the Honey Competition and the TV production draw near, Gelsomina must navigate her family's expectations, Wolfgang's demands, and her own desires in order to find her place in the world.

The Wonders is a powerful coming-of-age story that explores themes of tradition, family, and identity. The film is shot in a naturalistic style, with beautiful cinematography that captures the stunning Tuscan landscape and the intricate workings of the family's beekeeping business. The movie also features a memorable score by composer Piero Crucitti.

At the heart of the film is Maria Alexandra Lungu's remarkable performance as Gelsomina. She perfectly captures the character's mix of innocence, curiosity, and determination, and her emotional journey throughout the movie is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Alba Rohrwacher is also excellent as Angelica, Gelsomina's strong-willed mother, and Sam Louwyck brings a charismatic energy to the role of Wolfgang.

The Wonders has received widespread critical acclaim since its release, and it won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. The movie is a beautiful and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of family, community, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.

The Wonders is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 76.