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Review

Enter the magical world of the inquisitive and creative Phoebe Lichten (Elle Fanning, The Nines), where eccentric characters from Lewis Carroll’s "Alice in Wonderland" visit her on a daily basis. Her obsession with the classic story isn’t accidental, since her mother Hillary (brilliantly portrayed by Felicity Huffman, "Desperate Housewives," Transamerica) is also obsessed, writing a book on the subject. Playing the lead role of Alice in the school play led by her unconventional drama teacher (Patricia Clarkson, Lars and the Real Girl), Phoebe develops troubling behavior. She finds herself being drawn closer to her mother even though she is pulling away from school and the rest of her family. Her dysfunctional behavior increases, landing the confused girl in the principal's office and getting her in trouble with her parents. At the core of the expertly crafted narrative is a brilliant psychological examination of how what is considered "normal" to adults is not necessarily so for children. Writer/first-time director Daniel Barnz superbly navigates the delicate challenges of childhood in an honest, thought-provoking way that makes Phoebe in Wonderland an absolute must-see for any parent.

 -- Kelly Burkhardt