What happens when a woman gets exactly the husband she wants, but the rest of the village doesn’t quite approve? Perhaps there is something the men of the village could learn from a husband made of wicker!
This romantic fantasy Wicker, starring Olivia Colman as the fisherwoman and Alexander Skarsgård as the wicker man, is adapted from the short story The Wicker Husband by Ursula Wills-Jones.
On the outskirts of a seaside village lives a fisherwoman who is smelly, single and constantly ridiculed by her small-minded neighbours. Fed up with their attitudes and the way she is treated, she decides it’s time to do something about it. She commissions a local basket maker to create her a husband made entirely of wicker. But things take an unexpected turn. He proves to be quite extraordinary, with a soulful spirit and qualities that soon win her heart. But the villagers aren’t quite so accepting, and before long, jealousy, fascination and a fair bit of disruption take hold.
There is a strong satirical thread running through this rather unusual love story. The dialogue is witty and cleverly plays on some of the outdated beliefs about women, marriage and how men and women are expected to behave. It is amusing to see how unsettled the villagers become when a husband shows genuine kindness, affection and respect towards his wife. Yet their reaction also reflects the restrictive expectations women still face today. Perhaps there is something the men of the village could learn from a husband made of wicker!
I absolutely loved this movie. It is a tall tale that creates belly laughs. Beneath the humour, the film raises some interesting questions about acceptance, equality and the freedom to make our own choices. Why do we continue to hold on to expectations simply because that’s how things have always been done? With its unusual characters, clever dialogue and a good dose of humour, Wicker offers a refreshing take on romance. It’s a little quirky, a little absurd and certainly gives you something to think about. And the best is the twist at the end…
Reviewed by Jacquie Walker, Editor for ConsciousLiving New Earth News
WICKER will be showing in a local cinema near you from November 5.
A Look Behind the Scenes
The remarkable Wicker character was brought to life using practical costume and make-up effects by New Zealand’s Wētā Workshop, rather than relying mainly on computer-generated imagery (CGI). Read more https://www.wetaworkshop.com/projects/wicker
