Review: A comedy with much on its mind, 'My Wonderful Wanda'

Review: A comedy with much on its mind, 'My Wonderful Wanda' misses its mark
Gary Goldstein
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André Jung and Agnieszka Grochowska in the movie "My Wonderful Wanda." (Aliocha_Merker/Zodiac_Pictures/Zeitgeist Films)
If only “My Wonderful Wanda” director Bettina Oberli and her co-writer, Cooky Ziesche, had found a more consistent tone and focus for this wry tale of love, power, money and class; their story is fertile territory for a warmer, more engaging family satire than is found here — despite some strong moments.
Then there’s the matter of lead character Wanda (Agnieszka Grochowska), a Polish caregiver and single mom who commutes to Switzerland to look after 70-year-old Josef Wegmeister-Gloor (André Jung), a wealthy businessman paralyzed following a stroke. Josef may think Wanda is “wonderful” — she’s pretty, half his age, has a soothing manner and, oh, yes, secretly trades sex with him for cash — but, as presented here, she’s not vivid or dimensional enough to invest in her journey.

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