‘Wicker’- A Modern Love Story
By Ollie Mainguy
Staff Writer
A story marketed to be one of the most provocative movies of the year made me cry. “Wicker,” based on the fable by Ursula Willis-Jones, "The Wicker Husband," was genuinely one of the most interesting movies I have ever seen. There are moments of promiscuity, humor, and heart, but at its core this movie is about love. The characters bring this story to life, and the small-town setting is done wonderfully. While many are skeptical of this film, it truly was such a joy to behold. Olivia Colman plays the Fisherwoman. Her character is known as the town’s resident spinster. She is unmarried, crude, and unapologetically herself. Her character instantly won my heart early on. While her compelling self-confidence is incredible to watch, the setting is what really sold this movie. Just like in real small-town fashion, people gossip. In the film, cul-de-sacs are replaced with houses made of wood and straw, but the sentiment is all the same. The Tailor’s Wife is the mean girl in town and she leads the pack of women whose main goal is to make fun of the old spinster. And in a town that cares a little too much about the tradition of marriage, they make sure that she is the butt of every joke. The Fisherwoman pretends at first that she does not care to have a husband, but over time the cruelty gets to her. She goes to the town's Basketmaker, played by Peter Dinklage, who’s only seen in town once a month during their market. Fisherwoman goes to him and asks him to make her a husband. Fisherwoman is in need of a companion, as viewers clearly see during a very short cutscene. Her desire for a partner is not as surface level as she pretends to show the townspeople. After a month goes by, she meets her Wicker Husband at the chapel. The husband, played by Alexander Skarsgård, is performed with sincerity and such genuineness - it is almost too sweet to watch. The chemistry and irreverence begins straight after the wedding. The newlyweds go back to the Fisherwoman's home and instantly connect with one another. What started as a very awkward interaction at the chapel turns into a very passionate relationship. Their love blossoms over time as they grow into one another, separate from the judgmental town. One morning, the entire movie changes. What many audiences thought would be a provocative and smutty film turns into a story about love and acceptance. Upon walking into town, the new couple is greeted with yet another wedding. Most of the town is curious by the nature of the Fisherwoman's husband - after all he is made of wicker - but most of all they are intrigued. As the couple starts to dance during the wedding festivities, the town is captivated by a relationship that is not merely out of obligation, but is truly driven by love and passion. The Wicker Husband tells his wife that his love doesn't require a promise. Their connection is purely out of love and not because he was technically made for her. The Basket Maker made sure that he would still be given free will even though he was made of straw. Their relationship only grows stronger, which makes the townspeople infuriated over time, making them see inadequacies in their own relationships. The women of the town see that love really is possible. While I am possibly making this film seem infuriatingly sappy to watch, the film is lighthearted and enjoyable. The romance is at times very sickly sweet but they are still passionate with one another. There is no lack of smut in this movie if that is what this review suggests - it is still just as provocative as the critics have deemed it to be. Rating: B+ I wasn't expecting to cry at "Wicker" but I'm glad that I did.
