Wondrous Oblivion

A skillfully observed coming-of-age story set amidst London's working-class during the 1960s, Wondrous Oblivion views the decade's cultural clashes through the starry eyes of a young Jewish boy: 11-year-old David Wiseman (Sam Smith), who is obsessed with the game of cricket and channels much of his energy into swapping trading cards of his favorite players. When a family of Jamaican immigrants headed by boisterous patriarch Dennis Samuels (Delroy Lindo) moves next door and installs a cricket net in the backyard, David befriends the new neighbors in hopes of learning the finer points of batting, while also developing a bit of a crush on Dennis' daughter, Lilian (Yasmin Paige), only to find that his affections don't square with the racial prejudices of his peers. Writer-director Paul Morrison, walking a fine narrative line, captures the innocence of childhood while also depicting the insidious ways in which parents embed a sense of bigotry in their offspring. Lindo is superb as the open, good-natured father whose hopes for a bright new life are dashed when his family is denied acceptance. Although Wondrous Oblivion has its dark moments, this is a hopeful film in which a young protagonist learns the importance of tolerance and standing up for what's right. Recommended. (E. Hulse)