Annapurna Pictures 108 minutes R
This has to be the most provocative and sensual origin story of a superhero you’ve ever seen. It’s smart, sometimes kinky and funny about the first female superhero! You may never look at Wonder Woman the same way again after seeing this film. Not only will you find out where Wonder Woman’s lasso of truth, tiara and bullet-deflecting silver bracelets came from, but it’s a shocking love story set in the 1940’s between a man and two women. They all loved each other, lived together and had children together.
Writer/Director Angela Robinson (D.E.B.S, TVs The L Word ) was inspired to make this movie when a friend, knowing she was a fan, gave her a book about the history of Wonder Woman which included a chapter on the Marstons. That was 8 years ago. Robinson was frustrated that no movie had yet been made with a female superhero as the lead character and making this one became her obsession.
Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston who was a social scientist, (played by Luke Evans, Beauty and the Beast, Fast and Furious series). Marston was a Psychology professor at Harvard whose research included inventing the polygraph to study emotions as they relate to the truth. He never got credit for it. Not even a patent.
Marston’s wife, Elizabeth Holland, played by Rebecca Hall, (The Prestige, Iron Man 3) was also a brilliant Psychologist at Radcliffe and their work together included research about sexuality. Hall pursued the role of Marston’s wife because she had tried to option another book about the Marstons. She intended to make a movie of the Wonder Woman origin story herself!
The Professor also authored comic books based on his research and his relationships, wanting to put out positive values for kids represented by a heroic female whose mission was to fight for world peace. Wonder Woman comic books were a huge success. His inspiration? The two strong women in his life who were very much into him and also each other in a polyamory relationship.
Australian actress, Bella Heathcote, (Fifty Shades Darker, TV’s The Man in the High Castle). plays Olive Byrne, a student of the Marston’s who he hired to help with his research. He fell in love with her. So did his wife. And Olive fell in love with both of them. Their scenes are steamy so this might not be the movie for the kids. Robinson does a good job gradually showing the development of the affection and respect each of the three have for each other. Marston and his wife are a somewhat wild couple working with sensitive research for the times. When Olive comes on board, you can see the chemistry as the three become totally enamored with each other.
The sex scenes, especially the one when all three are together, could have been sleazy, but they’re not. Evans says they were all a little nervous getting ready to shoot the scene. But Robinson had music played on the set to calm them down. Not just any music, but “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye. Evans, Hall and Heathcote burst out laughing saying that took the edge off and set the tone for what became a very fun shoot. Director Robinson creates a scene that’s not only sensual, but emotionally believable.
But there’s more to the story. Marston incorporated some of the sexual antics into his Wonder Woman comic books including what we’d now call S & M. You see Wonder Woman portrayed with a little bondage, slapping and more. D.C Comic’s founder, M. C. Gaines, (Oliver Platt) questions Marston in one scene about having a superhero tied up and being slapped. Marston excuses it as showing Wonder Woman as strong and tough. Robinson carries it through showing scenes of the Marstons with Olive role playing, costumes, ropes and all.
That’s how Wonder Woman’s look comes to be and the scene where Olive emerges from the shadows backlit dressed as the superhero is breathtaking. The director did not want the contemporary red, white and blue iconic Wonder Woman Lynda Carter type costume we recognize today. This was more ethereal and magical in keeping with costuming of that time.
Connie Britton plays Josette Frank who is a watch dog and head of the Child Study Association of America taking exception to what is portrayed in the comic books. She’s the villain in this story and is strict on traditional values. One big objection was portraying a woman superhero wearing a bikini. No biggie today.
Robinson is thrilled that her film comes out in the same year as the blockbuster Wonder Woman movie starring Gal Gadot and at a time when women are fighting harder than ever for equality. But the sexy back story is enough to make you want to see how the Professor and these women influenced the newest superhero on the block to hit the big screen.
