PROFESSOR MARSTON AND THE WONDER WOMEN – A Review by Cynthia Flores
The new film Professor Marston and the Wonder Women is not for people that are prudish or easily offended by alternative life styles. So respect the fact that this film is rated R, and leave the kids at home to watch other movies or cartoons about Wonder Woman.
This movie is the true story of what inspired Harvard Psychologist Dr. William Moulton Marston (Luke Evans) to create the iconic fictional Wonder Woman comic book character in the 1940’s. In fact, Wonder Woman was based on his DISC theory, which stood for dominance, inducement, submission, and compliance. Marston studied and used BD/SM in his polyamorous (the state of being in love or romantically involved with more than one person at the same time) committed relationship between his wife Elizabeth (Rebecca Hall) and their shared lover Olive Byrne (Bella Heathcote). The first time we see the outfit that the fictional wonder woman of comic book fame wears, it is on Olive when she dresses up in the now famous bathing suit-like outfit but this pair of knee high boots had stiletto heels and the golden lasso that makes people tell the truth is used to tie her up in bondage. I told you this movie wasn’t for kids.
It was the late 1920s, before the comic book fame, when the Marston’s and Olive decided to live and love the way their hearts told them to. They set up house in a small neighborhood, building their blended family that included their children, all fathered by him. They went there after both Marston’s were fired from their college teaching jobs where they had met. Olive was a student that worked with them inventing the lie detector machine. In fact, the first half of the movie deals with how the three of them went from just college colleagues with lofty ideas to friends and then lovers. I tell you, if you want to see the hottest, most sensual, and even romantic ménage-a-trois that has come around on film in a long while, then this movie is for you.
This is the first feature film to come from writer/director Angela Robinson who has cut her teeth on episodic television. She does a great job making us care for this different kind of family. She does an even better job letting us know what the creator of such an iconic character like Wonder Woman was actually trying to achieve with his feminist superhero that was criticized by censors for her ‘sexual perversity’ and ability to defy convention. All the while, he and his family built a hidden life that rivaled any superhero disguise, flying under the radar of the societal norm.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women is a sexy and moving film that will have you looking at the comic book character of Wonder Woman in a whole new light.
Directed by Angela Robinson
Written By Angela Robinson
Rated R
Drama / Biopic
Limited Release to Wide Oct 13th Angelika Dallas, AMC Northpark,Alamo Drafthouse Richardson, AMC Firewheel 18, AMC Dine-In Mesquite 30
Starring: Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, Bella Heathcote, JJ Feild, Oliver Platt, and Connie Britton
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
