Phoebe in Wonderland

PG-13

Released Mar 6, 2009

1h 36m

Drama

List

61%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

70%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

Young Phoebe (Elle Fanning) has Tourette's syndrome, and she's not very good at following rules. Her mother (Felicity Huffman) and father (Bill Pullman) struggle to help and understand her, even while Phoebe's little sister feels neglected by her parents. Things take a turn when Phoebe lands a role in her school's theatrical version of "Alice in Wonderland." Unconventional drama teacher Miss Dodger (Patricia Clarkson) helps the girl feel more normal, but Phoebe still struggles offstage.

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Critics Consensus

Blessed with a good cast, Phoebe's heart is in the right place, but its execution is dicey.

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Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

There's a lot more perspiration than inspiration.

Rated: C+

Mar 9, 2009

Full Review

Amy Nicholson

I.E. Weekly

Though Phoebe is nearly too dark for children and nearly too simple for adults, it succeeds as a swirling reminder of what it felt like to get lost in imagination

Rated: B-

Mar 9, 2009

Full Review

Adam Keleman

Slant Magazine

The taxing whimsy of Phoebe in Wonderland proves more grating than poignantly escapist.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 6, 2009

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

It is a fantastical, marvelous world in which we draw strength from those things that make us unique.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 20, 2020

Full Review

Al Alexander

The Patriot Ledger

Elle Fanning is vivid in her conveyance of the hurt, anger and loneliness of being different.

Rated: B

Jul 19, 2015

Full Review

Dave White

Movies.com

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 4, 2011

Full Review

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Teddy B

The representation and dissection of OCD and social anxiety is fairly commendable, but 'Phoebe in Wonderland' muddles its messages and comes off as unexpectedly unpredictable in a wholly unintentional way. Things happen in this movie in such a randomised way and several forms of commentary are fighting for the viewer's attention that nothing sinks in as hard as it should.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Paola S

Information about the film will be incomplete without indicating the official website: https://phoebeinwonderland.com/

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/05/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I've been watching this movie since I was 5, I've always loved it. I viewed it so many times I can quote most of it. Though some cinematic decisions could've been better, this is one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The film's strength lies in its candid portrayal of a young girl afflicted and in Elle Fanning's Phoebe. Full review later.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A brilliantly emotional film about a young girls struggle with severe OCD. The acting was wonderful, with a great storyline to accompany.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

aile filmi gibi gözükse de bildi?imiz dram bence. yapmas? gerekenle yapmak istedikleri aras?nda bocalayan bir çocu?un hayat? anlama çabalar? ve büyüme sanc?lar?. di?er taraftan iyi bir anne olmak için kal?plarla özgün olmak aras?nda kalan bir annenin ç?rp?n??lar?.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Daniel Barnz

Director

Felicity Huffman

Hillary Lichten

Patricia Clarkson

Miss Dodger

Elle Fanning

Phoebe Lichten

Bill Pullman

Peter Lichten

Campbell Scott

Principal Davis

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Synopsis

Young Phoebe (Elle Fanning) has Tourette's syndrome, and she's not very good at following rules. Her mother (Felicity Huffman) and father (Bill Pullman) struggle to help and understand her, even while Phoebe's little sister feels neglected by her parents. Things take a turn when Phoebe lands a role in her school's theatrical version of "Alice in Wonderland." Unconventional drama teacher Miss Dodger (Patricia Clarkson) helps the girl feel more normal, but Phoebe still struggles offstage.

Director: Daniel Barnz
Producer: Lynette Howell Taylor, Ben Barnz
Screenwriter: Daniel Barnz
Distributor: ThinkFilm
Production Co: Silverwood Films
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 6, 2009, Limited
Release Date (DVD): Jun 23, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $73.0K
Runtime: 1h 36m