Hollywood’s Woman of Firsts: Ava DuVernay and ‘A Wrinkle in Time’
“A Wrinkle in Time’ was a bit of self-care. To do that I had to tap into something that wasn’t hardened and cynical. It was childlike and joyful… Sometimes art can help guide you through turbulent times, especially for the artist, who is just super sensitive. We’re all sensitive.”
-Ava DuVernay, Director, A Wrinkle in Time
As the month of March is Women’s History Month. there isn’t a better time to focus your attention on one of my favorite women in Hollywood, Ava DuVernay. Within recent years, DuVernay has risen to high recognition in Hollywood as a director, writer, producer, and now a showrunner. Most recognizable for her role as a director, her most critically acclaimed works, Selma and 13th, have earned her nominations for Academy Awards. Aside from her acknowledgements within the film industry, DuVernay has become a cultural sensation and heroine, advocating for the inclusiveness of people of color, female empowerment, and the importance of inspiring our youth. Still, two award nominations later and zero wins for DuVernay, her fight to burst through the glass ceiling does not stop there as she takes a leap with her recent Disney project. Ava DuVernay has now become the first woman of color to direct a film exceeding a $100 million dollar budget with Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time.
Going on it’s second week in theaters, the film has produced $33 million in box office sales, which is still second to Disney’s previous release with Black Panther. Interestingly enough, prior to her commitment with A Wrinkle in Time, there was short speculation regarding DuVernay taking on the Black Panther project, but she turned it down due to creative differences. Since her turning down the Marvel franchise, DuVernay has publicly commented that the Black Panther film would not have been a DuVernay film regardless, possibly indicating that the Disney/Marvel method of filmmaking hinders the creator. Despite the passing of the project, dear friend of DuVernay’s, Ryan Coogler, went on to direct the film; and in fact both directors have since remarkably championed Disney’s sudden wave of diversified movies.
In addition to all of the extravagant moments encouraged by Disney movies, especially within the past month, the premiere of A Wrinkle in Time united both directors ever more tightly when Coogler expressed his gratitude for DuVernay’s work:
“Ava is a pioneer. She makes the most distant dreams and ideas a reality.”
-Ryan Coogler, Director of Black Panther
The Disney reboot and adaptation of the 1962 novel, A Wrinkle in Time, marks yet another triumph for Ava DuVernay, but not in the way I expected. The film follows Meg Murray, a 13-year-old girl trying to navigate her world following the four year disappearance of her physicist father. Meg is then swayed to embark on the journey to find her father, and save the universe. By the motivation of her younger brother, Charles Wallace, recruits Calvin, Meg’s classmate, for the ride. The three children are then aided and accompanied by the otherworldly women: Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Whatsit.
Despite the Disney label and praiseworthy diversity, the film has received lackluster reviews amongst critics and audiences alike. Across the board, the movie seems to lack a forceful and fulfilling plot tied with transformative character development. Without the two, however, the visuals, morality of the film, and the star studded cast (Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine) are more than likely to keep you well intrigued. Much like Black Panther (in some ways), A Wrinkle in Time is unique to what audiences have seen on the big screen. So, the expectation for perfection in this aspect of the craft with a diversified Disney sci-fi is a bit unrealistic.
In truth, Disney hasn’t had the best success with the sci-fi genre, given the more recent flops with John Carter (2012) and Tomorrowland (2015). It’s a genre that hasn’t been completely able to fulfill all of the Disney magic audiences and critics wish to see, and arguably that’s due to the fact that larger than life ideas must be condensed into bite sized pieces for the intended audiences; which are most often well under the age of 25. Therefore, yes this is one of the ways A Wrinkle in Time has joined the ongoing sci-fi slump with Disney.
More importantly, A Wrinkle in Time‘s adult audience should be looking into the bigger picture here: embrace your inner child and remind yourself that in the darkest of times we all can be reminded to shine again.
With all that being said, Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle in Time is still a milestone for the female voices in filmmaking. Through her storytelling, we are invited to the genuine depths of her vulnerable mind and heart while we watch Meg maneuver her way back to the light that is combating the overwhelmingness of the dark. In the name of those who dare to be different, allow films like A Wrinkle in Time to speak to you (and the youth surrounding you) in ways that you might not have had as a child.
-Stephanie Viera