Professor Marston & the Wonder Women

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women is a biographical film that delves into the life of the creator of the comic book character Wonder Woman, Dr. William Moulton Marston (played by Luke Evans). Set in the late 1920s to 1940s, the film explores Marston's unconventional relationship with two women, Elizabeth Holloway Marston (played by Rebecca Hall) and Olive Byrne (played by Bella Heathcote) and how their relationships inspired the creation of the famous superhero.

The film begins with Marston as a renowned psychologist at Harvard, where he teaches a course on the psychology of human behavior. The moment he meets Elizabeth, a bright and ambitious student, he is smitten by her intelligence and confidence. Elizabeth is equally intrigued and the two form a close bond. Marston is already married, but he is convinced that Elizabeth is his intellectual equal and she quickly becomes an integral part of his life.

Marston gradually introduces Elizabeth to his life's work, which happens to be the creation of the lie detector test. Together, they develop a machine that can detect whether someone is lying or not. Because they are convinced that their invention will change the world, they decide to approach a wealthy patron to pitch their invention. This is where they meet Olive Byrne, whose family is one of the wealthiest in America. Marston is immediately drawn to Olive's beauty and quiet demeanor, and she joins the team to help them with their work.

As time passes, Marston becomes increasingly drawn to Olive, and it soon becomes clear that theirs is more than just a professional relationship. Elizabeth, who despite her jealousy towards Olive, ultimately agrees to the unconventional arrangement that she, Marston, and Olive enter into. The trio becomes inseparable, and their intimacy deepens each day.

At the same time, Marston is struggling with the conservative society of the time, particularly in the way women were treated. Marston believed that women were the key to a more peaceful and tolerant society, and he began to create the character of Wonder Woman, a powerful female superhero who could lead the way. The character of Wonder Woman was modeled after the two women in his life, Elizabeth and Olive.

Throughout the film, the audience gets to see glimpses of Marston's creative process, including the initial sketches of what would become the Wonder Woman character, and the inspiration he drew from the experiences he shared with Elizabeth and Olive. Despite the challenges and obstacles they faced, the trio's love affair continued, energizing and enriching the creative process. With the help of his wife and Olive, Marston was finally able to realize his dream of having a female superhero, who was multi-dimensional, intelligent, and sexually liberated.

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women is a fascinating exploration of the unconventional relationship between William Moulton Marston, Elizabeth Holloway Marston, and Olive Byrne, and how their personal experiences inspired the creation of the iconic feminist superhero Wonder Woman. The casting of Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, and Bella Heathcote is outstanding, and they give powerful performances that make the characters feel lived-in and authentic. The film is beautifully shot and captures the period's aesthetics seamlessly. Moreover, it is a thoughtful exploration of human emotions, love, and the way creativity stems from personal experiences.

Overall, Professor Marston & the Wonder Women is a fantastic movie that provides an entertaining and educational glimpse into the creation of one of the most iconic comic book characters in history. It is a must-watch film for comic book fans, feminists, and anyone interested in a well-told biographical story.