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BOOKWORM

Starring: Elijah Wood, Nell Fisher, Michael Smiley, and Vanessa Stacey
Director: Ant Timpson

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This film has been reviewed by Paige and Nick as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2024 Fantastic Film Festival.

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NICK

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Bookworm is a fairly formulaic father/daughter story, but it works within that formula well. Filmed almost entirely in the wilderness (a beautiful showcase for New Zealand), this is a well-shot adventure bolstered by the performances of its lead actors. You have Nell Fisher's Mildred, the know-it-all daughter, contrasted with Elijah Wood's character, her estranged magician father; their chemistry is the lifeblood of this feature. The other thing about Bookworm is its willingness to tread into darker territory, which in turn strengthens the film. All in all, it’s a solid children’s film bound to appease adults and children alike.

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PAIGE

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Even though some of the gags don’t always land and the script is a bit clumsy, the peculiar chemistry between Elijah Wood's and Nell Fisher’s characters is what makes Bookworm shine. It’s a sweet and adventurous father-daughter tale with some lovely moments sprinkled throughout. While I’m not quite sure if the dry and offbeat New Zealand humor will work for everyone, it worked for me. Ultimately, I found this family flick to be cute and somewhat fun, even if the pacing is a little slow at times.

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