Black Bear Pictures
Dan Bennett – Love is easier to acquire through botany and craftsmanship than traditional dating.
This often fascinating, easy-to-like film fable, based on the short story “The Wicker Husband” by Ursula Wills-Jones, explores themes of group mentality, small-town jealousy, pride, and love earned through kindness rather than desperation or trickery. Branches, sticks, and probably a few reeds also play a role.“Wicker” stars Olivia Colman as the Fisherwoman, an ostracized outlier in a waterside village, era unknown. The townsfolk are relentless in their catty criticism of her, given her odor and lack of a husband, not necessarily in that order.
Tired of dealing with the hate sent her way, the Fisherwoman commissions the local Basketmaker (Peter Dinklage) to create her a husband made out of
wicker. Barely blinking an eye, the Basketmaker does just that, in approximately 7 to 10 business days.
The result is the Wicker Husband, played in a cool designer wicker costume by Alexander Skarsgard. He’s quite simply a man made out of wicker, but one who can also think and speak, programmed to make his wife happy and meet her needs. (Both have cultivated ravenous needs). He’s kind, curious, and eager to please. The Wicker Husband is the perfect spouse, especially compared to many of the other dimbulb village males.This arrival prompts unexpected change in the town dynamic, as the once-critical local women begin to wonder: Why can’t my man be like that? Nobody has any immediate answers.
Jealousy runs rampant, though, and the Fisherwoman begins losing trust in her husband. How does she keep her wicker husband from potentially sharing his wicker love with other women?
“Wicker” Is a strange, amusing, lesson-filled story, employing a sort of magic realism with touches of the fantastical despite the basic human themes explored. It helps to have talent such as the accomplished Colman, who matches well with the subtle performance from Skarsgard.
There are a few deep revelations, but more so quiet reminders of basic human faults and possibilities. Husband-and-wife directing team Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson bring fascinating visuals, humor, and a sweet romantic touch. Production and costume design play big roles. The film is a sort of kind, patient, romantic but still carnal variation on Frankenstein themes, nature’s time-tested organic tools replacing the nuts and bolts.
“Wicker” B+
Directors: Alex Huston Fischer, Eleanor Wilson
Rated: R (for sexual content, language, nudity)
Runtime: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Now playing in theaters
