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Parenting is a tough job, and we’re all well aware of that. However, the 2023 Dutch film “The Wonder Weeks” (original title – Oei, ik groei!) doesn’t bring many new ingredients to the table with its story about three friends navigating the challenges of raising babies. Being a Netflix production, the cinematography is predictably glossy and shiny, featuring immaculate modern homes, but the script feels slightly stale.
Directed by Appie Boudellah and Aram van de Rest, the film spans 90 minutes and follows three different couples as they handle their children. We are first introduced to Anne (Salle Harmsen), who returns to her lawyer job after giving birth but is constantly distracted, worrying whether her husband can handle things in her absence. Her anxiety only grows when she hires a beautiful nanny. Next, we meet the lesbian couple Kim (Katja Schuurman) and Roos (Sarah Chronis), who are expecting their third child from the same donor, a friend who expresses a desire to visit the kids as their father and seeks co-parenting rights. Finally, there’s Ilse (Yolanthe Cabau), who faces the challenge of accepting the conservative parents of her Moroccan boyfriend, who move in with them to help her during her pregnancy.
There are clearly three different themes at play: the challenges women face when returning to the workplace after pregnancy, the dilemma faced by same-sex couples when donors become more involved in their lives, and the cultural and religious differences that arise in interracial relationships. While the filmmakers’ intent is commendable, the execution of the story is far from satisfactory. With a crisp 90-minute runtime, not a single character stands out in the movie, and the plot fails to generate enough momentum for viewers to truly care about what’s happening to anyone. Although, the friendships portrayed between all the lead characters was quite endearing.
Despite its seemingly “modern” outlook, the story contains regressive elements that reinforce the idea that taking care of the child is solely a woman’s responsibility. It’s always the women who are shown running around for their babies, and even in the lesbian couple, there’s a clear distinction between the working parent and the homemaker parent. Sarah Chronis plays Roos, the sweet pregnant homemaker, while Katja Schuurman portrays her wife, Kim, the bossy and manipulative one who runs “Moms for Moms,” an exclusive clique of affluent mothers who organize extravagant kids-related parties and have a network that grants them easy access to various child services, classes, and admission to good daycares and schools.
“The Wonder Weeks” had a lot of potential for being a funny family comedy, but the script lacks spark and the climax was just a mess. It’s a 5 on 10 from me.
You can stream the film on Netflix.
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