Wondrous Oblivion (Paul Morrison) is a warm and funny tale of prospering maturity. When the Samuels, an astranged Jamaican family, move in to a predominantly white working-class neighborhood sides are quickly taken and the Wiseman's - the once ignored and maligned Jewish family - are caught in the middle. Knowing what it feels like to be the odd family they are initially shocked but come to terms with their friendly neighbors.
The youngest Wiseman, David (Sam Smith), has a passion for cricket and the Samuels come from a family tree, and an island full, of cricket players. Their first task is to measure out and set up a cricket pitch. The father Dennis (Delroy Lindo) and daughter Judy (Leonie Elliott) take him from cricket score keeper to superstar because of his openess towards them.
David's own parents Ruth (Emily Woof) and Victor (Stanley Townsend) struggle with their son's acceptance of the Samuels and the neighborhood who wants them to push the unwelcomed vistors out. Victor is hardly home, barely knowing anything of his son's interests and work ethic while his wife only knows a life of taking care of the family and little of what being a developed adult is about.
Throughout the film many people's lives are transformed by the Samuels. Passion, family, womanhood, understanding and kindness are all traits that the Wiseman's and the rest of the neighborhood will learn and embrace. The line, "you can't miss what you don't have" is echoed through this film and it is certainly the backbone to the story. Virtually everyone benefits from the family joining their community even if they are slow to react to it in the first place.
Strong performances by the entire cast as well as an engaging soundtrack and great dialogue keep this film moving along. If for nothing else this film is worth watching to better understand how cricket is played. Trust me, it only takes one argument at the local bar for that bit of work to pay off.
I would recommend this film to anyone. The characters' own personal obliviousness is something to see and analyze which might also help us open our own thoughts about the changing world around us.