by Bookworm Review: If you’re watching a film where Elijah Wood ventures into the stunning landscapes of New Zealand, it’s clear you’re in for a long journey. Unfortunately, while Wood’s latest film, Bookworm, shares its filming location with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, it often feels like it’s just meandering without the same cinematic magic. Directed by Ant Timpson, known for the audaciously violent Come to Daddy, and co-written with Toby Harvard, Bookworm is another story of familial reconnection, featuring some playful banter between a father and child. However, it is much tamer compared to Timpson’s previous works, offering occasional clever moments but ultimately falling short of true adventure.
This isn’t to say Bookworm is without merit. It does have its charm as it progresses towards a feel-good conclusion, though it often gets lost in its own narrative without the necessary excitement to make it truly adventurous. By the end, a hint of magic emerges, but the journey to that point feels lengthy and less captivating than one might hope for.
Bookworm (2024)
Adventure
Family
Comedy
Eleven-year-old Mildred’s life takes a dramatic turn when her single mother is hospitalized, leading her estranged father, a washed-up magician, to travel to New Zealand to care for her. Together, they embark on an expedition into the wilderness in search of the mythical Canterbury Panther, hoping to bond and solve their financial troubles.
Release Date : August 8, 2024
Director : Ant Timpson
Cast : Elijah Wood, Nell Fisher, Morgana O’Reilly, Nikki Si’ulepa, Vanessa Stacey, Theo Shakes, Michael Smiley
Runtime : 96 Minutes
Main Genre : Adventure
Writers : Ant Timpson, Toby Harvard
What Is Bookworm About?
The film shines with a standout performance from Nell Fisher as Mildred, the young bookworm grappling with her mother’s coma caused by a malfunctioning toaster. Enter Strawn Wise (Wood), her estranged father, who has returned to care for her. A struggling magician, he is ill-prepared for fatherhood. Mildred, unimpressed with his lackluster magic tricks, persuades him to join her on a quest into the wilderness to find the Canterbury Panther, a mythical creature rumored to roam the area. She hopes to capture video evidence of the creature and use the prize money to settle her mother’s debts.
However, Bookworm often falls into repetitive comedic and awkwardly dramatic moments. The film leans heavily on magic-related jokes and references to illusionists like David Blaine, many of which feel repetitive. The humor relies on Strawn’s ineptitude with magic tricks, and the repeated setup of ending each day with a dull camp scene can become tiresome. Despite these issues, Fisher’s performance provides a redeeming quality.
Nell Fisher Elevates Bookworm
While Wood contributes with his charm and humor, Fisher is the film’s standout. Her delivery transforms otherwise mundane interactions into sharp, engaging moments, and she adds emotional depth where it’s needed. As the film progresses, Fisher helps it find its rhythm, making her the driving force behind its emotional core. Even when the film stumbles, her performance draws you back in, culminating in a finale where her character’s charm shines brightly. Despite its missteps, Fisher’s presence ensures that the final scenes are both captivating and memorable.
