Wicker Loses Sight of What Makes It Wonderful

Key Points:

• "Wicker," directed by Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer and based on Ursula Willis's short story, explores the transformative power of desire through the story of a lonely Fisherwoman who commissions a wicker husband, highlighting themes of love, loneliness, and societal cruelty.
• The film is praised for its charming portrayal of romance and sensuality, particularly through the performances of Olivia Colman as the Fisherwoman and Alexander Skarsgård as the Wicker Husband, whose chemistry brings authenticity to their passionate relationship.
• Set in a loosely defined period with a fairy-tale quality, "Wicker" critiques the oppressive roles of women in a patriarchal society, emphasizing the loneliness and subjugation women face, while celebrating the Fisherwoman's refusal to conform.
• While the first half of the film effectively centers on the intimate relationship and its pleasures, the narrative shifts in the latter half toward a broader moral critique of the town's cruelty, which some viewers may find detracts from the central love story.
• Despite its intriguing themes and strong performances, "Wicker" is noted for not fully capitalizing on its potential for erotic and emotional depth, leaving some desire for a deeper exploration of how love endures amid societal judgment.