Wildflower
{5/5} “I knew something like this was going to happen.”
Wildflower, released in 2022
Bea’s parents are intellectually disabled and her grandparents didn’t think they would be able to raise her own their own. But they did, and things turned out OK. She looks after a lot of things herself — like letting her mother eat cookies while getting her dressed for work. When she’s 10 her dad wants to teach her how to drive, in case of emergency. When her dog runs away, she decides that’s an emergency. Years later Bea ends up in a coma and people aren’t sure what happened.
This movie is about how just because your family is unusual doesn’t mean they won’t be happy.
It’s about how difficult it is when you have school, a job, and a boyfriend — and you have to look after your parents.
It’s about being fearless.
It’s delightful. There are some astonishing conversations.
Ryan Kiera Armstrong plays Young Bea.
Stars Kiernan Shipka, Jean Smart, and Brad Garrett. Directed by Matt Smukler (the documentary Wildflower).