Is Waking the Wild Colonial Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2018)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Waking the Wild Colonial, a standout production of 2018, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Drama landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into In this era of digital communication, 16-year-old Madeleine and her four eclectic friends are negotiating the emotional turbulence of teenage life in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts by creating and posting YouTube video diaries. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "In this era of digital communication, 16-year-old Madeleine and her four eclectic friends are negotiating the emotional turbulence of teenage life in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts by creating and posting YouTube video diaries. The diaries are a microscopic look into the contemporary landscape of adolescence; sexual confusion, dubious antics, and existential angst. Mad is the center of her single mother, Iris' struggle to parent and produce a living, as a visual artist. This pursuit often includes Mad and her friends' participation in the creation of Iris' edgy paintings. Iris is the eccentric, breezy mom every kid wants. Mad's reality is shattered when she discovers that Iris has a serious illness. Forced into adulthood, Mad grapples with these harsh circumstances as her friends rally around her. They accompany Mad on her journey, inspired by the links she uncovers to her mother's surprising past."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Allison Mackie does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Shannon McMahon Lichte is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 106 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Waking the Wild Colonial truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Waking the Wild Colonial explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2018 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Shannon McMahon Lichte respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Waking the Wild Colonial is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Allison Mackie or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Waking the Wild Colonial is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.