If I could rename Wakefield, I'd call it A Selfish Man. It's been a month and I still do not know what to think of Wakefield. I was very tired, which didn't help. I admittedly watched a portion of this film through one barely open eye. That said, this was the world premiere of the film and I don't think anyone knew quite what to do with it. No one really laughed, and I feel like this is one of those films where experience hinges on audience reaction.
It was adapted for the screen by Robin Swicord, who also directed the film, from a short story of the same name by E.L. Doctorow. The film was largely produced and financed by women, and this makes it a curious beast.
The film's premise is that a married business man lives out a midlife crisis turned psychotic break, festering in resentment, when he suddenly decides that instead of returning home one night he'd spy on his family from the attic of the adjacent garage.
The film has little dialog and is, instead, comprised mainly of voiceover narration. The result is disturbing, problematic, and bizarre.
3/5