Oprah, Reese, And Mindy On The Profound Messages In A Wrinkle In Time

It is always interesting to talk to the cast of any new movie that is coming out. There is excitement about meeting with those starring in the movie, excitement about talking to them and asking questions, and of course, getting to take a picture with people you’ve only ever dreamed of meeting!

This latest press trip for A Wrinkle In Time was no different. When we (bloggers) heard we were going to meet Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling we were all super excited. Just about everyone was thrilled to have a chance to sit in the same room as Oprah, and as much as I love Oprah, I have always loved Reese and was really excited to be able to ask her a question!

So what did we talk to these fantastic leading ladies about?

Everything!

One of the things we discussed was the profound messages for young people, especially young girls, that we hope resonate with young viewers as they watch the movie.

A Wrinkle In Time is full of powerful messages about self-worth, acceptance, and confidence, but what did Oprah, Reese, and Mindy think were the most powerful messages that they hope young kids take away from this movie?

All The Things In The Universe – Mrs. Which

“Did you know how many millions and millions of events had to occur as they did, in the order [they did] for you to be exactly the way you are?” ~Mrs. Which/Oprah Winfrey

“Because when I got to say that to her I think there was a connection that she and I had that went beyond the characters, like how much had to happen in order for you, Storm, to be here in this moment having this lead role in this movie and us experiencing this together. It was really pretty powerful.” ~Oprah Winfrey

This particular line in the movie resonated with Oprah as she reflected on her own life as well:

I actually think that about my own life as an African American who came from slaves and that story, that journey. And I think about it for the life of everyone I meet. Everybody on the planet, I just think of what it took to get you here. ~Oprah Winfrey

Mrs. Who — Mindy Kaling

Already a master of quotes herself, Mrs. Who is always saying something profound. However, when says “the wound is where the light enters” it really resonated with Mindy, and as Oprah also said, “the wound helps you create wisdom for yourself, everything that happens to you that wounds you, that is [a] crisis, is the open door for more light to actually come in.”

Mrs. Whatsit — Reese Witherspoon

My favorite quote from Mrs. Whatsit is when she says, “I give you your faults”. Just the idea of letting kids know that it is okay to have faults, it is okay that you aren’t perfect, and your faults are what make you, you. These are the things that make you better, that make you work harder, that make you unique. Your faults can really be your advantages if you accept them.

When talking to Reese, she mentioned that when Meg (Storm Reid) is looking up at her little brother who’s been possessed by darkness and says, “I deserved to be loved”.

We all deserve to be loved, and we all deserve to tell our stories and be the center, the lead of our own movie, the captain of our ship. And we do not see that enough, we don’t see ourselves enough, and I think a movie like this with a company like Disney getting behind it says so much to young people. ~ Reese Witherspoon

The Future For Women

Finally, I was able to ask a question about how the three (Oprah, Reese, & Mindy) think the future of women looks.

Question: This is a book written by a woman, a movie directed by a woman, starring women. You’ve all been in projects bringing women to the forefront. Do you see that as a trend that is going to continue in the film industry and in powerful positions in general?

Oprah: “Oh yes, in the Golden Globes speech I was saying a new day is on the horizon, it’s actually here and we are living it, this is it, we’re experiencing it, you’re seeing it up there on the screen.”