Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017) [Blu-ray]
Biography | Drama
In a superhero origin tale unlike any other, the film is the incredible true story of what inspired Harvard psychologist Dr. William Moulton Marston to create the iconic Wonder Woman character in the 1940's. While Marston's feminist superhero was
criticized by censors for her 'sexual perversity', he was keeping a secret that could have destroyed him. Marston's muses for the Wonder Woman character were his wife Elizabeth Marston and their lover Olive Byrne, two empowered women who defied
convention: working with Marston on human behavior research -- while building a hidden life with him that rivaled the greatest of superhero disguises.
Storyline: Details the unconventional life of Dr. William Marston, the Harvard psychologist and inventor who helped invent the modern lie detector test and created Wonder Woman in 1941. Marston was in a polyamorous relationship
with his wife Elizabeth, a psychologist and inventor in her own right, and Olive Byrne, a former student who became an academic. This relationship was key to the creation of Wonder Woman, as Elizabeth and Olive's feminist ideals were ingrained in the
character from her creation. Marston died of skin cancer in 1947, but Elizabeth and Olive remained a couple and raised their and Marston's children together. The film is said to focus on how Marston dealt with the controversy surrounding Wonder Woman's
creation.
Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, January 29, 2018 The film's title character, William Moulton Marston, was many things: academic, activist, husband, lover, and a man living a life in which he championed advanced
studies in the field of psychology that ultimately led him to create the modern lie detector machine, develop the female superhero icon Wonder Woman, and engage in a polyamorous relationship with his wife and one of his students, both of whom would bear
his children. The film, from Director Angela Robinson (Herbie: Fully Loaded), explores their life together as they defy social norms, engage in carnal desires, and develop a legendary character through whom Marston could champion his world vision
and immortalize the women he loved.
William Moulton Marston (Luke Evans) is a college professor who has developed DISC theory, theorizing that every social interaction is defined by one of four distinct human behaviors: Dominance, Inducement, Submission, and Compliance. His wife and fellow
academic Elizabeth (Rebecca Hall), herself credentialed and every bit his academic equal, if not superior, cannot break through the academic glass ceiling of her time, much to her very verbal dismay. Marston finds himself sexually infatuated with his new
assistant, a student named Olivia (Bella Heathcote). Elizabeth, herself attracted to the beautiful woman, allows her husband to foment a relationship with the girl, as Elizabeth does on her own. Their feelings are expressed both in personal and
professional settings where Marston uses their mutual attraction and intimate desires to test the validity of his lie detector machine. Eventually, the three become engaged in a longstanding sexual relationship that distances them from society but
ultimately leads Marston to create the Wonder Woman comic book character, who he views as a champion of feminism but who more conservative naysayers believe to be only an outlet for his fantasies as the stories deal with "depictions of bondage, spanking,
torture, homosexuality, and other sex perversions."
Professor Marston dives into some interesting narrative devices as the title character explores his erotic stimulations and open desires through the lens of his work as a researcher and professor and uses his infatuation with his would-be paramour
to help him develop the lie detector machine, craft an icon who champions feminine strength and superiority in a man's world, and involve himself in a relationship with two women who love him, and one another, all as equals. But the film is as much a
story of the battles they face beyond the bedroom. Marston's Wonder Woman character and his own character, for that matter, are challenged throughout the film. He's challenged by a conservative panel who questions him and his created icon. The scenes take
place in a gray, bleak, spartan room that reinforces the cold distance and opposition to his then-unspeakable ideals, jarring against the colorful comic book depictions seen at various points throughout the film and the colorful contrasts and warm,
inviting photography through which the lens so often captures the trio in passion and love. Marston and his women additionally face backlash for their headstrong, unabashed counter against social norms, creating a stigma about them that costs them
employment, friends, and social status.
The movie is made with confidence of narrative and character. It never shies away from the purest depiction of the story and characters, even as that pure depiction represents a shift from traditional character purity. Elizabeth is confident but crude, a
champion for herself and her would-be place in the world. She's not above crude language to state her case and make her points, and indeed her blunt, direct manners, sometimes as off-putting as they may be, shape the character with unflappable intensity.
Rebecca Hall dominates the part, finding the confidence in character, the essential carnal desires, and rolls through the highs and lows and deliberate character development with unflinching perfection. Bella Heathcote, who could be mistaken for a young
Heather Graham, is wonderful as the film's most fluid and evolutionary character who is not fundamentally transformed by her time with the Marstons but rather brought out of her shell, gradually opening to the ideas that have long percolated inside but
were never allowed, in that time's more tightly knit society, to break through. Luke Evans is a rock in the lead, building a fascinating character who finds balance between his most intimate carnal desires and his position as something of a radical
intellectual.
Suffice it to say, while Wonder Woman dazzled mainstream audiences at the movies, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women isn't going to capture the same wide attention and acceptance. It's an inherently divisive movie, even in a time where
almost "anything goes" and acceptance of nontraditional romantic partnerships is viewed as the norm within the mainstream. More traditionally minded audiences won't bother, and the film certainly does little to throw them a bone if tone and texture have
anything to say about it, but they are missing three quality lead performances and an interesting tale of not simply creating a comic legend but also one that explores the evolution of romance through a number of perspectives, including sexual energy,
psychology, and boundary breaking. The film is well made but will be best enjoyed by more open-minded audiences. Sony's Blu-ray features solid picture and sound along with several well-versed featurettes.
[CSW] -3.8- First let me say that I really expect some backlash from people that will never understand or approve of the life choices portrayed in this movie. I am a little surprised there wasn't as much as I expected, maybe the public is actually
maturing and becoming more understanding. But with that said, this reviewer said it better than I could: This biography focuses on William Marston, the creator of the Wonder Woman comics, and his polyamorous life with his wife, Elizabeth, and
Olive Byrne. Luke Evans (William Marston), Rebecca Hall (Elizabeth), Bella Heathcote (Olive), Connie Britton (Josette), Monica Giordano (Mary), JJ Field (Charles), Chris Conroy (Brant), Oliver Platt (Gaines), Maggie Castle (Dorothy). Professor Marston and
the Wonder Women begins with a quick look at the life Bill and Elizabeth are leading and their work together. Olive is quickly introduced to the storyline and focus immediately shifts as the trio begin forming romantic relationships with one another. The
influence Marston's life had on the Wonder Woman story is ever present in the film and the two are integrated nicely. The film doesn't gloss over the difficulties the trio had which is refreshing alongside the obvious joy they received from their
relationship. Acting was good with Evans delivering a nice range of emotion throughout the film. Hall did nicely in her role as the intermittent antagonist. Heathcote was good, though from her facial expressions she looked pained through much of the film
The remainder of the supporting cast was solid and enjoyable. Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good with nice detail and period fit throughout. Dialogue was solid though a bit more around the forming of relationships and difficulties would have
been nice. Sound and soundtrack were nicely done. Overall Professor Marston and the Wonder Women is an enjoyable biopic, though as much of it is fictional, maybe calling it a Romance would be better. Romance, Wonder Woman, or those interested in Polyamory
should enjoy this one. With some sexual content, brief nudity, and adult situations, save this one for older teens and above.
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This film focuses on much of the "kinkiness" of the relationship. In a way this makes sense since the old Wonder Women comics had lots of bondage and suggestive sexual moments.
Note: There are plenty of interviews online of family members who say the story strays pretty far off the mark of fact.
[V4.0-A4.0] MPEG-4 AVC - No D-Box
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