Wondrous Oblivion was an incredibly delightful and charming coming of age movie that had impactful social themes geared around race, discrimination, classism and many other issues that frequently divide the human family. Despite these jarring matters that are central to the plot, the core of the film is submerged in the idea of tolerance and acceptance without being overbearing, which I found to be quite refreshing.
There were a number of impactful moments that were introduced in a subtle way but had huge implications with one particular scene standing out the most. Ruth, the main character’s mother and Dennis, their new Jamaican neighbor, develop a romantic interest in one another, which leads to them kissing, but ultimately stalls before it develops…show more content… Despite this, they both just want to be accepted for their distinctions: Dennis and his family being accepted within the neighborhood with Ruth looking for acceptance from her husband and fellow townspeople for her choice to befriend her new neighbors. In addition, this scene also speaks to the overall connection that the two families (Jewish and Jamaican) have to one another; immigrants who are seen as infiltrators that are changing the racial and cultural dynamic of London to the chagrin of the natives. With this realization, both families are able to unite through the struggles they have endured to simply belong as displayed towards the end of the film, when both families discover that they had both been terrorized by their neighbor’s grandson for their religion and ethnicity. This recognition culminates in a sort of grandiose way when Victor, Ruth’s husband, enters a smoke infested building to save Dennis after his home is set on fire. Victor returns with Dennis and immediately shuns the firemen, who earlier were quite condescending followed by