Suppose you think that this is the name of some song. Then you are wrong. But what you should brace yourself for is a great watch ahead of you. Maria Luisa Manuel, an attorney who lost her father at an early age, knows one thing for sure: she doesn’t want to be like the rest of her family. That’s why she works hard to become what she is today: successful and rich. However, not everything goes as planned. While driving, a cat suddenly jumps in front of her moving car, which leads to her death. Soon enough, she realizes that she has now landed in the afterlife sorting center. When she reaches heaven, even the managers are surprised to see her reach there early because apparently her name got mixed up with that of Mary Jane Alcantara.
She isn’t ready to accept her death, fearing that she has many deadlines to follow. She is allowed to get back to the mortal world, but only on one condition: she has to live one month as a married housewife until her case is corrected. She must remember that in this one month, she isn’t allowed to return to her previous life or do any work related to it. But when she reaches Earth, she isn’t happy with how she looks, and on top of that, she has a husband. What worst? She has two kids. The only thing she remembers is her past life and nothing from the new one. This leads to a series of comedies of errors. Slowly, she starts to enjoy the family life she never really had, and, surprise, she starts to enjoy that as well. The question is: will she really get back to her old life?
Wonderful Nightmare is one of those movies that, though it is a one-time watch, leaves you feeling as if someone gave you a warm hug. Seeing Maria Luisa Manuel’s story go from a snooty lawyer to a loving mother and a wife was a journey worth watching. I loved how her character development took place right from the start to the end. Initially, she had a hard time adjusting, and soon enough she didn’t want to leave. We see how much love and warmth she has. There is a stark difference in how she starts to perceive her life when the movie starts and when the movie ends. They show us the importance of emotional richness in life, which is very important for today's youth.
There is a beautiful balance of comedy and emotions in Wonderful Nightmare. It is indeed such a great watch when both have been equally portioned out. That way, you get to see the depth of the movie. The pacing is even as well. Not once did I feel as if the plot was slowing down or had been starched for no reason whatsoever. The entire execution of the movie feels properly planned out.
Even the casting is great. Every actor, in whatever role they play, be it the leads or the supporting ones, does a fantastic job in bringing their characters to life. They do full justice to the plot, and that is the best thing about it. So all in all, if you wish to watch something light, non-melodramatic, quick watch, Wonderful Nightmare is just what you need to see right away.
Final Score - [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times