Joey Magidson
Flannery O’Connor is an author people tend to know of, as opposed to know well. That alone makes her an interesting subject for a biopic, though it also makes for an opportunity. Not having much in the way of preconceived notions allows the storytellers to weave their tale free of any of that. Here we have that with Wildcat, a dreamy yet muddled look at the life of O’Connor that attempts to use her work to speak for her. There are things to appreciate, but ultimately I was left wanting a little bit more.
Wildcat is at its best when it’s just an acting exercise, as the fractured narrative of it all keeps you on your toes but also somewhat keeps you at arm’s length. By trying to be both an adaptation and a biographical look at O’Connor, it kind of becomes neither. I appreciated what the film was trying to do at all times, but it was only sporadically engaging.
We meet Mary Flannery O’Connor (Maya Hawke) as she returns home to Georgia at 24, where she would be diagnosed with lupus. Writing becomes an outlet for O’Connor as she spirals. Dealing with issues of faith, mortality, and loneliness, her short stories come to life. The works utilized here include “Everything That Rises Must Converge,” “The Life You Save May Be Your Own,” as well as “Good Country People.” As the stories are depicted, we see Hawke’s O’Connor playing multiple roles, as does her mother Regina (Laura Linney).
As we watch these stories come to life, we see O’Connor working out her various issues, whether in terms or herself or the other people in her life. The more we watch, the more we’re supposed to identify with O’Connor and feel for her. At times, it really works. At other points, it does end up falling a bit short.
Maya Hawke is terrific here, really finding a way to keep you interested in Flannery O’Connor, in a way that the story itself doesn’t always. Hawke is always good and always watchable, but she’s hypnotic here. I was quite taken by her work even when the flick wasn’t doing the same for me. She plays multiple roles, as does Laura Linney, and they’re undeniably highlights. Hawke and Linney are both excellent, even if Hawke is best in show. Supporting players filling out the work include Rafael Casal, Vincent D’Onofrio, Philip Ettinger, Cooper Hoffman, Liam Neeson, Alessandro Nivola, Steve Zahn, and more.
Ethan Hawke continues to be a fascinating filmmaker, in addition to a talented actor. His behind the camera projects are impossible to predict and he’s hard to pin down, that’s for sure. He does his best to liven up this story, but Hawke and co-writer Shelby Gaines end up falling a tiny bit short. Wildcat is visually interesting and well acted, which is a credit to Hawke’s direction, but I still found myself a touch bored at times, which is a shame.
Wildcat is far from a bad movie, and it’s knocking at the door of being a real good one, but it’s ultimately mostly an interesting misfire of sorts. As a curiosity to see Ethan Hawke directing his daughter? That certainly is worthwhile. I hope Maya Hawke works with her father again soon, as she’s so good here. I just wish I was able to engage with O’Connor more. If you love the author, however, this could be something to dive into. For me, unfortunately, I couldn’t fully get into it.
SCORE: ★★1/2
i must say that I disagree with the comment that the film is an “interesting misfire.” As a writer and someone who long ago was a Flannery O’Connor fan, I found the film to be original, heartbreaking, true to my experience of the writing process and brilliantly conceived and executed. I watched it at a time when I was too engaged in my own writing to look up reviews and commentaries, then rewatched it months later and was doubly entranced. I was amazed to see it has won no awards and only faint praise. I suggest you form your own opinion, for the film critics in this case have let us and Ethan Hawke down! Watch the movie and form your own opinion. In this age of action movies and “Barbie,” this film is the real thing. The one part of Joey Magidson’s review that I agree with totally is, “Maya Hawke is terrific here, really finding a way to keep you interested in Flannery O’Connor,”
Glad you like the film, though we obviously disagree on its overall quality. Curious what you think forming my own opinion would be, if not this several hundred word review, giving my own individual take on the film…