Madeleine L'Engle's beloved novel, A Wrinkle in Time, has been brought to the screen in a 2018 American science fantasy adventure film directed by Ava DuVernay. The screenplay, penned by Jennifer Lee and Jeff Stockwell, adapts the classic 1962 book, following a young girl and her adoptive younger brother on a quest to find their missing father, aided by three mysterious astral travelers. This marks Disney's second adaptation of L'Engle's novel, following a 2003 television film.
Development and Direction
The development of the film began in late 2010 with Jeff Stockwell crafting the initial script. Jennifer Lee joined the project four years later to undertake rewrites. Ava DuVernay was officially brought on board to direct in early 2016. Principal photography commenced on November 2, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. The production later moved to New Zealand, with filming concluding on February 25, 2017.
DuVernay's involvement marked a significant milestone, making her the first African-American woman to direct a live-action film with a production budget exceeding $100 million. This directorial choice was met with widespread positive reception within the media industry.
Story and Characters
The narrative centers on thirteen-year-old Meg Murry, who grapples with adjusting to school due to bullying and depression, four years after the disappearance of her father, Alex, a distinguished astrophysicist. Meg's unique younger brother, Charles Wallace, encounters an enigmatic visitor, Mrs. , who is later revealed to be one of three celestial beings.
Meg and Charles Wallace are soon joined by Calvin O'Keefe, who accompanies them to the home of Mrs. Who, another peculiar friend of Charles Wallace, known for speaking exclusively in quotations. During a dinner with the Murry family, Mrs. Murry reminisces about Alex's unwavering dedication to his research, despite facing public ridicule.
The three astral travelers-Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which-reveal themselves in the backyard, confirming Meg's father's journey. They explain that Alex visited Uriel, then Ixchel, but became trapped on Camazotz, a planet identified as the source of an evil energy known as "the IT."
The Journey Through Space and Time
To aid Meg in her mission, the Misses bestow upon her crucial gifts before departing: Mrs. Who provides her with glasses to perceive hidden truths, Mrs. Whatsit imparts knowledge of her own flaws, and Mrs. provides her with the understanding that love is the most potent force against darkness.
Their journey involves "tesser," a method of traveling through space-time. They visit the planet Orion to seek assistance from a seer named Happy Medium. With Happy Medium's guidance, Meg overcomes her self-doubt and learns the extent of her father's predicament.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Meg's determination to rescue her father compels her to override the tesseract's intended destination, inadvertently leading them to Camazotz. The Misses, unable to remain on the planet due to the overwhelming evil, depart after bestowing their gifts.
On Camazotz, Meg and Calvin find themselves separated from Charles Wallace by a mysterious forest and pursued by a powerful storm. Meg ingeniously uses the storm's own momentum to propel herself and Calvin to safety, where they are reunited with Charles Wallace.
Confronting "The IT"
The planet Camazotz presents a facade of idyllic normalcy, with identical homes, children, and mothers. However, Meg's suspicion is piqued when a woman invites them inside, an offer she politely declines. The environment shifts to a crowded beach, where a man named Red introduces himself and assures them of Alex's safety.
As Meg and Calvin pursue Red and Charles Wallace through the crowd, they become trapped in an empty, spherical room. Red deactivates, leaving the possessed Charles Wallace to taunt Meg and Calvin. Using Mrs. Who's glasses, Meg discovers an invisible staircase leading to her father's prison.
Following a tearful reunion with her father, they are confronted by Charles Wallace, now under the control of "the IT." As Calvin and Meg succumb to the IT's influence, Alex initiates a tesseract to escape with them. In a climactic confrontation, Charles Wallace and the IT attempt to force Meg to embrace darkness by presenting her with an idealized version of herself. However, Meg embraces her imperfections and uses her love for her brother to free him.
The dissipation of "the IT" is followed by the reappearance of the Misses, who congratulate Meg and Charles Wallace on becoming "Warriors of Light." Meg then tessers them back home, where Alex is reunited with his wife.
Filmmaking and Representation
Ava DuVernay's direction of A Wrinkle in Time was not only a significant cinematic event but also a deliberate effort to expand representation in Hollywood. DuVernay has consistently used her platform to create opportunities for women and people of color both in front of and behind the camera. This commitment is evident in her casting choices, with Meg Murry portrayed as biracial by Storm Reid, and Mindy Kaling and Oprah Winfrey taking on the roles of Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, respectively.
DuVernay, known for her work in films and TV shows grounded in themes of race, power, politics, and family, saw the potential of science fiction to explore powerful ideas. She views the genre as an arena for thought experimentation and world-building, which aligns with her broader mission of creating a more inclusive world for people of color.
The film's adaptation of L'Engle's novel reimagines the visual aspects while staying true to the story's core themes. Producer Catherine Hand noted that while the essence of the book remains, the visual interpretation has evolved, reflecting contemporary perspectives.
The Hollywood landscape has also seen changes, albeit slow ones. DuVernay's work addresses the "invisibility crisis" faced by women, particularly young women of color, in pop culture. By centering a black girl as the heroine of her own story, DuVernay aims to provide role models for a generation that has historically seen limited reflections of themselves in mainstream media.
DuVernay's Career and Impact
Ava DuVernay's career trajectory showcases a consistent dedication to challenging systemic exclusion. Her critically acclaimed documentary 13th examined the intersection of race and mass incarceration, while her film Selma offered a critique of the social structures that disenfranchised black Southerners. Her commitment to inclusion extends to her professional practices, such as exclusively hiring women to direct her TV series Queen Sugar and founding Array, an organization that aids in the distribution of films by female filmmakers and filmmakers of color.
DuVernay's influence is further recognized by Mattel, which created a Barbie doll in her likeness, symbolizing her role as a different kind of role model. She emphasizes that true change involves systemic shifts, including addressing issues of filmmaker proficiency, the perceived value of certain images, curatorial decisions, audience cultivation, and the geographical distribution of theaters, which she notes can lead to a form of "cinema segregation."
Her personal philosophy emphasizes focusing on the "heart space" and the present moment, rather than dwelling on past hardships or perceived lacks. This perspective informs her approach to filmmaking and storytelling.
Production Details and Collaborations
During the filming of A Wrinkle in Time in the redwood forests of Northern California, DuVernay demonstrated a remarkable commitment to her young stars, often mirroring their lack of warm clothing to foster solidarity. This act of "goose-bumped solidarity" was seen as a fitting metaphor for the inclusive and encouraging spirit she brought to the adaptation.
DuVernay assembled a diverse and talented creative team for the project. She collaborated closely with cinematographer Tobias Schliessler, with whom she developed a strong working relationship. The film's score was composed by Ramin Djawadi, known for his work on Game of Thrones. DuVernay also relied on her longtime friend and collaborator, casting director Aisha Coley, and editor Spencer Averick, who had worked with her on her previous films, including her first feature, I Will Follow, and the documentary 13th.
The importance of every department in a large-scale production was highlighted by DuVernay, who made a point of including prop master J.P. Jones, noting his proficiency and his status as one of the few prop masters of color in the industry. Location manager Alison Taylor discussed how the specific geography of the Murry family's home was chosen based on DuVernay's vision.
VFX supervisor Richard McBride and lead hairstylist Kimberly Kimble also shared their experiences, emphasizing the collaborative process and the dedication to bringing DuVernay's vision to life. DuVernay expressed her passion for hair and its role in character development, stating that Kimble was given "plenty of hair to do" in the movie.
'A Wrinkle in Time' Behind the Scenes Video
Critical Reception and Box Office Performance
Upon its release, A Wrinkle in Time received a mixed to negative critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 43% based on 342 reviews, with an average rating of 5.3/10. Critics often pointed to issues with pacing, character development, and a perceived lack of DuVernay's distinct directorial voice, with some comparing it unfavorably to films like Tomorrowland.
Despite its critical reception, the film achieved a worldwide gross of $133.2 million against a production and advertisement budget of approximately $250 million, marking it as a box office disappointment. The film was released in the United States on March 9, 2018, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Thematic Resonance and DuVernay's Philosophy
Beyond the critical and commercial performance, A Wrinkle in Time stands as a testament to Ava DuVernay's artistic vision and her commitment to challenging dominant narratives. The film, intended for an audience of eight-to-12-year-olds, embraces the essence of L'Engle's novel, presenting a story about an underdog. DuVernay's interpretation emphasizes the universality of the black experience and the power of love and self-acceptance in overcoming darkness.
DuVernay's approach to filmmaking is deeply intertwined with her activism and her desire to foster systemic change within Hollywood. Her work consistently explores themes of race, power, and justice, encouraging audiences to consider the complexities of the human experience and the importance of representation. As she stated, "Asserting my presence in a film is not anything that requires any thought." This deeply ingrained principle guides her creative decisions and her impact on the industry.