Phoebe (Elle Fanning) is different from the other kids in her class, yet each child has his/her own peculiarities. But Phoebe finds solace in the school play when she is cast as the lead in “Alice in Wonderland,” a story about which her mother happens to be writing her own book.
The drama teacher, Miss Dodger (Patricia Clarkson), sees something special in the young girl. The two form a close bond, yet when she is not in the auditorium rehearsing Phoebe’s OCD and other idiosyncrasies are difficult for her family to live with, especially her sister Olivia (Bailee Madison) who is embarrassed by Phoebe’s problem. Felicity Huffman and Bill Pullman co-star as her parents who find it difficult relating to their special daughter.
Tormented by Tourette’s Syndrome
The film shows how this tormented little girl suffers through her disease without realizing that she is suffering from something real. She doesn’t know why she has to jump on the steps a certain number of times or why she spits without thinking about it.
In the end, the diagnosis puts all the pieces of the puzzle together and even though she will never get rid of the disease, Phoebe is relieved to know that there is definitely something specific on which she can blame her involuntary movements and her obsessive behavior. Tourette’s syndrome is the cause for young Phoebe’s idiosyncrasies and once she and her family know the cause, they can begin to better grasp how to deal with it. The diagnosis is a weight lifted off their shoulders.
While this might be a difficult movie for many people to watch, it is a heartening story of one family trying to deal with their children and with a problem they know nothing about. It is a story of oddities and of loving, loving someone in spite of their strangeness. It is at times difficult for Phoebe’s sister and parents to deal with her in their everyday lives. She is a little girl haunted by a disease which rules her life and affects everyone around her.
Elle Fanning is Incredible in This Role
Elle Fanning is remarkable as Phoebe. This 10-year old girl is a phenomenal actress and proves her abilities in this difficult and challenging role. This is more than simply a dramatic role. It required a lot of special insight into Tourette’s Syndrome and young Ms. Fanning grasp the role with all her heart and soul.
Phoebe’s talent for acting as Alice in the school play is only matched by Elle’s talent for acting as Phoebe.
- Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested for thematic material and brief strong language
- Studio: Image Entertainment
- Run Time: 96 minutes
