World Debut at
Fantasia Film Festival 2024
Thu July 18, 2024 6:30 PM
Auditorium des diplômés
de la SGWU (Théâtre Hall)
Elijah Wood must have enjoyed playing Strawn Wise, a has-been stage magician, in Bookworm. This hilarious family film by Ant Simpson sees him doing what I feel is his best Johnny Depp impression as a misfit father from America trying to do what’s right. Technically, Mildred (Nell Fisher is perfect in this role) takes the lead in this New Zealand adventure comedy, as she has a know-it-all attitude despite having lived a rather sheltered life. True to this film’s namesake, she’s a nerd.
And that’s not the reason Wise abandoned her. Although the backstory felt very compressed, I’ll be watching this film again as soon as it hits theatres later this year. That’s because I want to know how he heard about his wife getting ill. As for showing up out of the blue, he’ll have to convince more than one guardian that he’ll do what’s right.
To see him and Mildred bond while they are in pursuit of the mysterious Canterbury Panther makes for a grand and charming adventure. I’m glad this creature isn’t made up, as it would break reality. The best laughs come from when he believes magic can help them find (or is that fight?) the beast. After this film, I had to look for more information about this cryptozoological animal. When this tale offers more than a typical bonding scenario, everything presented has the makings to satisfy curiousity in what still exists in Middle Earth. Even the wilderness shots look spectacular.
As for whether this team finds their quarry, it’d be saying too much, but it seems without this creature’s existence, there wouldn’t be a new fellowship to bring this family together. Well, that’s the hope.
4 Stars out of 5
Bookworm Movie Trailer
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