Movie Review: Wicker

“Wicker” shouldn’t be as good as it is. Its backstory is steeped in familiar and worn tropes, featuring a motley assortment of villagers inhabiting what appears to be a medieval English fishing village. The residents in this insular community gossip frequently, ridicule each other when norms aren’t met and reveal an unkind and narrow-minded side to their close-knit society. The townspeople are identified and called by their occupations or relationships to others, such as the Basketmaker, Innkeeper, Butcher and the Shoemaker’s Wife. What makes the film work is the originality of its story, adapted from British writer Ursula Wills-Jones’s short story “The Wicker Husband,” along with the terrific performances by its principal actors. Ten minutes into the film, I wasn’t yet convinced of its appeal, despite knowing that its opening box-office numbers were impressive for a modestly budgeted, R-rated movie. But as the story unfolded, I found myself increasingly drawn in.

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