Director Madeleine Olnek’s portrayal of the life of Emily Dickinson in Wild Nights With Emily comedically deflates portrayals of the poet as a tortured recluse and delivers an earnest perspective into her life as an eclectic, misunderstood poet.

Molly Shannon’s performance provides a new perspective on the reserved aspects of Dickinson’s life. Unlike the average period drama, Wild Nights With Emily tackles the antiquated views of female capability and homosexual relations during Dickinson’s time with laughs.

After Dickinson’s death, her legacy was repackaged and sold to the public in a way that often omitted many aspects of her life, such as her relationships and the numerous rejections she received from publishers prior to death. Olnek said she knew in order to tell Dickinson’s story in a compelling way, she had to present the tragedies of the author’s life in a way that was as entertaining and thought-provoking as her poetry.

Olnek described trying to capture the author’s life after the film’s premiere, “She had a great sense of humor but also a profound vision – so this movie had to be a blend.”

Cast and crew at Monday’s premiere of Wild Nights With Emily Credit: Photo by Tinu Thomas

Wild Nights With Emily

Narrative Spotlight, World Premiere
Tuesday, March 13, 11:15am, Rollins Theatre
Friday, March 16, 5:30pm, Zach Theatre
Saturday, March 17, 11am, Alamo Ritz 1

This article appears in March 9 • 2018.

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