Shortly after doctors Alex and Kate Murry adopt the
precocious, brilliant young Charles Wallace, Alex disappears. Several years
later, Charles Wallace, his older sister Meg, and Kate miss and remember Alex,
but do not know why or where he has gone. And then, a mysterious stranger
appears, leading Meg, Charles Wallace, and a third friend on a journey across the
universe to find their missing father.
** SPOILERS AHEAD THE REST OF THE WAY **
The Adoption
Connection
Alex and Kate have adopted Charles Wallace. Before Charles Wallace
arrives, they speak beautifully about adoption to Meg, saying that, out of all of
the people in the universe, how wonderful it is that they have found each
other.
Alex disappears. Charles Wallace only learns of him from
what Kate and Meg teach him, but he still defends Alex’s name, scolds teachers
who speak unkindly of his family, and – to bring joy to Meg and Kate – tries his
best to find Alex.
When Meg and Charles Wallace eventually find their father, Charles
Wallace comes under the influence of an evil entity. He becomes a threat to Meg
and Alex in a series of scenes with some frightening visual imagery. Alex tries
to escape, and intends to leave Charles Wallace behind, intending to come back
from him later, once Meg is safe. Meg refuses to leave Charles Wallace behind,
however. Eventually, Charles Wallace is freed from the entity, and the family
returns to their home, greeting a surprised and overjoyed Kate with her long-missing
husband.
Strong Points
Kate and Alex speak very positively about adoption.
Charles Wallace loves his adoptive father, even though his
adoptive father disappeared while Charles Wallace was very young. Charles
Wallace identifies strongly with his family and stands up for them. Later, Meg
stands up for Charles Wallace – even going against her father when he appears
to be willing to leave Charles Wallace behind.
The film shows that everyone – even bullies – deal with
sadness. One character, quoting an ancient poet, says, “The wound is where the
light enters you.”
Challenges
It could be hard for some kids to enjoy a story where a
parent is lost without reason. Also, some of Meg’s classmates speak harshly to
her suggesting that it would be good if Meg was gone too. One character voices
that Meg’s dad “would rather be anywhere than with you.”
Some families might find it frustrating that it’s the
adopted child who gets possessed by an evil entity. It could also be very hard
for some kids to see that, after a long absence, Charles Wallace’s father is
willing to leave him behind.
A principal tells Meg, “You need to stop using your dad’s
disappearance as an excuse for your (mis)behavior.” That might be fair advice,
but then he also tells her that she should probably expect that he won’t come
back. She reacts against that and prepares to leave his office; he doesn’t
recognize that he’s stepped over a line, and only tells her that he hasn’t
excused her.
A young boy’s father criticizes him harshly and unfairly.
Recommendations
A Wrinkle in Time is a visually beautiful film with some
good sibling-loyalty dynamics among adopted siblings, but themes of parental
separation – and even perhaps parental abandonment – plus a scene in which an
adopted child is possessed by an evil entity – may unpleasantly surprise some
adoptive families. I’m most comfortable recommending this film to ages 13 and
up.
Questions for
Discussion
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
Was Alex wrong to be willing to leave Charles Wallace? Why
did Meg insist on not leaving him behind?
Why were the kids mean to Meg?
Meg has a very good friend in Calvin, and a loving family.
Who are some of your best friends?
Other Ideas
No comments:
Post a Comment