The Wonder Weeks review: An admirable depiction of parenthood

In The Wonder Weeks, three couples face the challenges of parenthood while trying to balance their personal and professional lives. The film is now streaming on Netflix.

Story

Anne and Barry welcome their daughter, Mia, into the world. The doctor tells them that Mia’s rapid growth might impact her negatively, which makes Anne obsessively control every single thing about her daughter. 

Anne and Barry also have trouble finding a spot at nearby daycares for Mia, which makes it hard for them to keep up with their work while raising their daughter. Anna finds the answer to her troubles when she is introduced to a club called Moms for Moms. 

Moms for Moms was founded by a woman named Kim, whose wife, Roos, is pregnant with their third child. The father of their children is Roos’ best friend, Kaj, who now wants to be a part of the children’s lives as their father. However, Kim does not think that he is ready for the responsibility that comes with fatherhood.

Then there is Ilse, whose boyfriend’s mother moves in with her and her boyfriend when their son, Samih, is born. Ilse wants her son to learn about the cultures of both his parents, but cultural differences and the pressure from her boyfriend’s family make things hard.

Performances

Sallie Harmsen’s portrayal of Anne, whose biggest flaw is that she wants nothing but perfection for her child, is convincing. Harmsen makes it hard to blame her character for anything when she brings out Anne’s insecurities and anxieties in a way that will make the audience sympathize with her. 

While Yolanthe Cabau’s character’s discomfort is apparent at all times, she does not leave much of an impact, partly because the script does not give her much space for anything but being uncomfortable.

Katja Schuurman stands out as an overprotective Kim who always gets her way, and Louis Talpe definitely seems like a man who is learning to be a responsible father overnight, but their performances completely overshadow Sarah Chronis, who plays Roos.

Positives

The film’s idea of a family is not limited to a married heterosexual couple. It includes the unconventional family of Roos and Kim, who allow Kaj to be a father to their children, as well as a multicultural couple that has a child without getting married.

Through Anne’s character, the show tries to depict the difficulty of going back to one’s old life after becoming a mother. Motherhood does not just come with sleepless nights but also with new responsibilities, insecurities, and fears.

The parents in the film are all imperfect in their own ways. The film allows them to have different kinds of flaws, like being overprotective or obsessive, and their mistakes are seen as natural. The characters are then given space to change and become better individuals. 

Negatives

The confrontation between Kim, Anne, and Kaj is the moment in the film when things fall apart. The scene appears heavily scripted with the characters screaming at each other and not caring about the distressed child; it reminds the audience of the distinction between films and reality.

Additionally, the way conflicts are conveniently resolved all at once is very unconvincing. Ilse and Sabri’s mother suddenly seeing eye to eye and putting aside their differences is an example of that. 

Verdict

The stories in The Wonder Weeks might resonate with people who have gone through similar experiences as parents; they will appreciate the depiction of parenthood in the film. However, others might not enjoy it as much.

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Also Read: The Wonder Weeks summary and ending explained