By Joe Farkus, NDG Contributing Writer
One might expect a film depicting the origins of the Wonder Woman comic to be rife with explanations of where the iconic super-heroine’s overt depiction of female empowerment originated. What Professor Marston and the Woman Women provides instead is a disturbing dive into the allegedly true story of Dr. William Marston (Luke Evans), the creator of the Wonder Woman comic, and his polyamorous relationship with wife Elizabeth (Rebecca Hall) and student Olive Byrne (Bella Heathcote) who both served as the inspiration for his famed comic book character.
The film examines this relationship in explicitly graphic detail, both showcasing the truly peculiar and disconcerting interests of its central characters while attempting to cast them in a sympathetic and forgiving light. For those inspired by this year’s box office smash Wonder Woman, learning of the bizarre circumstances and experiences that led to the creation of its hero will be nothing short of disappointing, perhaps even disconcerting.
Despite the fact that attitudes have seemingly changed toward the sort of lifestyle depicted in the film, one can’t help but wonder if audiences will find Elizabeth Marston and Olive Byrne the bold, feminist heroes Dr. Marston clearly believed them to be. While the film does successfully elicit sympathy toward its protagonists, their determination to pursue explorations into bondage culture (a theme which appears in early Wonder Woman comics) complicates the image many may have of both the feminist icon’s creator and his creation.
While the film is well serviced by its historically accurate aesthetic and the central cast’s perfectly adequate performance, the seedy characters they portray make for a shocking, subversive, and unsettling experience. Any audience goer looking for a deeper look into the environment that generated such a well-beloved and celebrated character will likely leave the theater confused and with a tainted view of the Wonder Woman character herself.
For those looking for a film steeped in sexual liberation and the abandonment of social norms to the extreme, look no further than Professor Marston and the Wonder Women to satisfy your craving; for everyone else, look elsewhere – anywhere.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women opens in select theaters nationwide Friday, Oct. 13. The film is rated R for mature audiences only.
