Ethan Hawke, known for his diverse career in directing, writing, and acting, has once again delivered an intriguing project with Wildcat. This film cleverly incorporates four Flannery O’Connor stories that shed light on the writer’s challenging life in unique and plausible ways. While the general public may not fully grasp the connection to O’Connor’s work, they will undoubtedly find the episodes in this film weird, amusing, and thought-provoking. It’s safe to say that Wildcat will primarily appeal to college literature students, southern academics, and female writers. Nonetheless, Hawke deserves praise for shining a small spotlight on this exceptional American writer who overcame medical hardships to become one of the most significant authors of the mid-century. Maya Hawke’s portrayal of O’Connor brings to life the writer’s unique perspective and often overlooked subjects. This film serves as a modest springboard for readers to discover the extraordinary talent of Flannery O’Connor.
The script, written by Shelby Gaines and Hawke, skillfully utilizes O’Connor’s work to illuminate her life in a clever and daring manner. The early scenes set in 1950s New York City, where O’Connor meets with publishing bigwigs, reveal her intense unhappiness and provide glimpses of the darkness that permeates her writing. O’Connor once remarked, “I don’t want to be an angel,” and it becomes evident that her characters’ ultimate fates are far from heavenly. Hawke, along with cinematographer Steve Cosens and editor Barry Poltermann, seamlessly blends different timeframes and settings, creating a visually stunning film that blurs the lines between fiction and real-life incidents that inspired O’Connor’s imagination.
The film also delves into the challenges O’Connor faced in her daily life, offering ample evidence of her resilience. A late-blooming romance and a frightening encounter with a traveling salesman highlight the difficulties she encountered while trying to navigate the real world. While the film doesn’t explicitly explore O’Connor’s sexuality, it does provide insight into her obstinate nature, which allowed her to defy the expectations of others.
O’Connor’s complex personality and the filmmakers’ attention to detail make this character study a must-watch for literary enthusiasts seeking fresh perspectives on biographical analyses. It also serves as a valuable resource for students studying the significant aspects of a writer whose talent and persona will undoubtedly continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
Title: Wildcat
Festival: Telluride Film Festival
Director: Ethan Hawke
Screenwriters: Shelby Gaines, Ethan Hawke
Cast: Maya Hawke, Laura Linney, Philip Ettinger, Rafael Casal, Steve Zahn, Cooper Hoffman, Willa Fitzgerald, Alessandro Nivola, Vincent D’Onofrio
Sales: UTA Independent Film Group
Running time: 1 hr 43 min
