Capsule reviews of films opening this week:
"Phoebe in Wonderland" — Depicting mental illness on screen is a difficult undertaking, both for its internal nature and because of the obvious need for sensitivity. When we're talking about a child who's suffering psychologically, the prospect becomes even trickier. Writer-director Daniel Barnz achieves a true and delicate balance for much of "Phoebe in Wonderland," but ultimately undermines himself with heavy-handed and rather hackneyed whimsy. The preternaturally poised Elle Fanning stars as Phoebe, an imaginative 10-year-old whose playfulness devolves into unruly and self-destructive behavior. She finds a sanctuary from her demons and impulses when she lands the lead role in her school's production of "Alice in Wonderland." She's a natural, and she receives encouragement from drama coach Miss Dodger (Patricia Clarkson), who recognizes in Phoebe a kindred misfit spirit. But Phoebe continues to act out in class and on the playground; at home, she tortures and ultimately injures herself with obsessive-compulsive behavior. Her mom (Felicity Huffman) doesn't want to accept the diagnosis she receives from Phoebe's psychologist and instead tries to ground her daughter with love and stability. The scenes in which Phoebe interacts with her mother, father (Bill Pullman) and precocious younger sister (Bailee Madison) are the strongest; they're rooted in reality as the family struggles with Phoebe's ups and downs. But increasingly, she sees "Wonderland" characters wherever she goes, and the conceit quickly grows cloying. PG-13 for thematic material and brief strong language. 96 min. Two and a half stars out of four.
• Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
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