Chasing Wonders

Released Jun 4, 2021

Drama

TRAILER

for Chasing Wonders: Trailer 1

List

69%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

90%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Filmed over five years, CHASING WONDERS is a heart-warming story of a young boy, who, encouraged by his grandfather to live a life of hope and possibility, takes off on the adventure of a lifetime to find the magical Emu Plains. His journey through the lush landscapes of Australia and Spain leads him to the heart of the human condition -- learning to acknowledge the complexity of what comes before us but struggling not to be defined by the past.

Read More

Read Less

Mick C

Great film. Good actors, and film sets. I liked the pace of the movie - holding us within the tension of dysfunction and hope. The film has lingered on within me - inviting me to reflect on family relationships. I am so grateful when a film does that for me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A fantastic and moving triumph!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An incredibly moving coming-of-age film which is so universally relatable. Such beautiful cinematography of Australia and Spain's landscapes. The non-linear timeline helps strengthen the story - exploring how understanding your parents comes with age. Would highly recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I was privileged to attend the premier of this movie at the Adelaide Film Festival (Australia) towards the end of 2020. I was served a cocktail of emotions that I could sip from through the movie. It lifted a mirror and made me reflect on my own journey, the journey of my parents and those before them. Chasing Wonders made you question why our parents behaved in a certain way, treated us in a certain way when we were growing up. Behaviour that often made us judge our parents, and often cause a break in relationships. We just did not understand, we did not know the road they had travelled to get to where their lives connect with ours. How could we if they kept their own hurt hidden. The cast of Chasing Wonders did a superb job in lifting those mirrors to the audience. Brilliant performance from Edward James Olmos, who played the grandfather and who was also the narrator through the movie), as well as Paz Vega (the mother) and the father, Antonio de la Torre. I also loved how the friendship between the two boys were displayed. It made me smile. But the ‘star' of the movie was the cinematography! Throughout the movie it did a beautiful dance with the brilliant script (that was written by Judy Morris) ‘The greatest journeys lead us home.'

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I saw this at the Adelaide Film Festival going by the strength of the cast and curiosity at one of Jessica Marais' first feature films. Besides the superb cast with some of Spain's finest Actor's, the movie captures your attention from the start. The story is a poignant account of a young man trying to find himself and develop a bond he has so far failed to achieve with his Father, who towards the end we learn is harbouring a dark secret. The moving script and stunning scenery make for a film worth seeing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Really beautiful, moving film. You'll learn a lot about life and family but in a relatable and non-condescending way. Couldn't recommend more.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Paul Meins

Director

Antonio de la Torre

Actor

Paz Vega

Actor

Quim Gutiérrez

Actor

Jessica Marais

Actor

Michael Crisafulli

Actor

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

98%

87%

Minari

TRAILER

for Minari

96%

91%

Living

TRAILER

for Living

43%

29%

The Roads Not Taken

TRAILER

for The Roads Not Taken

94%

84%

Last Film Show

TRAILER

for Last Film Show

25%

72%

The Goldfinch

TRAILER

for The Goldfinch

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Chasing Wonders: Trailer 1

1:43

View more videos

View more photos

Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

Sometimes visually arresting, the story filmed in Australia and Spain comes to a conclusion that seems contrived and forced.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 5, 2021

Full Review

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

In spite of its tidy running time, "Chasing Wonders" is diffuse and often limp.

Jun 3, 2021

Full Review

Jim Schembri

jimschembri.com

As far as "coming-of-age" yarns go the film predictably touches on the importance of "being yourself", an age-old theme that has become something of a genre cliché, though it is thoughtfully handled here...with a fine performance from Michael Crisafulli.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 16, 2021

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...a thoughtful coming-of-age story, illuminated with knowing, heartfelt performances...

Rated: 4/5

Nov 9, 2021

Full Review

Sandie Angulo Chen

Common Sense Media

This well-acted, interestingly executed coming-of-age story explores issues of immigration, family trauma, and abuse.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 13, 2021

Full Review

Peter Gray

This is Film

Ultimately wins its audience over with a visually sumptuous pallet, an endearing turn from the young [Michael] Crisafulli, and an assertive positive family temperament.

Jun 12, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Filmed over five years, CHASING WONDERS is a heart-warming story of a young boy, who, encouraged by his grandfather to live a life of hope and possibility, takes off on the adventure of a lifetime to find the magical Emu Plains. His journey through the lush landscapes of Australia and Spain leads him to the heart of the human condition -- learning to acknowledge the complexity of what comes before us but struggling not to be defined by the past.

Director: Paul Meins
Producer: Jonny Persey, Timothy White
Screenwriter: Judy Morris
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 4, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 4, 2021