The pandemic has hit all manner of targets, notably the break-down of families and relationships hit by illness and financial concerns. Such is the backdrop to Jan Miller Corran’s romantic road-trip odyssey ALONG CAME WANDA.
Secluded at home, Mary Beth Higgins (Constance Brenneman) is suffering in a marriage that has seemingly gone nowhere for a while. Her son is in the latter stages of teenhood and her husband doesn’t feel the same kind of passion, but that doesn’t make it any less of a shock when the divorce proceedings are happening.
However, there is some light in the form of delivery person Wanda (Cathy DeBuono), who through her duty of care to deliver is delivering friendship to Mary Beth and suggests as things are coming to an end for her to come on a road trip with her to perhaps discover herself via Wanda’s RV which doubles as a soup truck. Reluctantly Mary Beth joins Wanda and the two of them head to a spiritual retreat and then the haven of psychic Davina Moonbeam.
It is clear that Mary Beth’s history is about to reveal itself – and perhaps some other feelings in the mix…
A much gentler variation on the open mind and road perspectives of THELMA & LOUISE, with no guns or misogyny here, focusing more on the sensitive interaction between two women clearly trying to understand themselves and the people they relate to the most.
This is very much a more grounded film, focusing on the essence of rediscovery and spiritual growth. Shot in eleven days under very strict pandemic regulations in LA locations, ALONG CAME WANDA is an assured and gently-realised directorial debut from writer/director Corran.
If there is a shortcoming to the film, it is simply that you wish there was a lot more conflict and incidents as these two women discover the meaning of their lives and the spirit they are desperate to express, but what is on show is admirable enough, with great lead performances from Brenneman and DeBuono.
ALONG CAME WANDA is available now across various streaming platforms.
Watch the interview with director Jan Miller Corran here:
