“Too much has been made of late of Emily Dickinson’s famous reclusivity,” the narrator of “Wild Nights with Emily” declares in the film’s new trailer. “Let me tell the real story about this special poet.” Smash cut to the “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers” scribe (Molly Shannon) furiously making out with Susan (Susan Ziegler), her sister-in-law, longtime lover, and muse.
“Wild Nights with Emily” takes a comedic look into a lesser-known side of Dickinson. “These are for you,” Emily says, presenting Susan with her work, ostensibly a poem paying tribute to her paramour. “One cup flour …” Susan is surprised to read. “It’s on the other side,” Emily interjects quickly. She’s written the poem on the back of a recipe.
Madeleine Olnek’s droll biopic also takes on the sexism that stymied Dickinson’s career — not to mention her personal happiness — during her lifetime. A male editor condescendingly criticizes her poems’ structure, while another dude tells her matter-of-factly that “no man would want to marry a woman more clever than he.”
In addition to directing, Olnek wrote “Wild Nights with Emily,” which is reportedly based on Dickinson’s private letters.
“Wild Nights with Emily” made its world premiere at last year’s SXSW Film Fest and hits theaters April 12.
