wireless mouse won't open links or photos on my macbook pro laptop

Aha!

Go to system preferences > accessibility > mouse & trackpad > double click speed and change the speed to whatever speed you double click the mouse.

Probably the mouse is not registering the clicks because the speed is set to much different than how you're actually clicking.

(And just to humor us, while in system preferences, choose Mouse and check the amount of charge down in the bottom left corner.)

First off, will the trackpad open those links okay?

Second, is this a Magic Mouse? (It has a smooth top and the Apple logo on it.) If so, check to see that it is charged up.

Third, is the mouse set to double-tap? Open system preferences > mouse to see.

Fourth, if you move the pointer a little away from the target (link, folder, etc) does the pointer change or does the tap work? (This may suggest a misalignment.)

Assuming you are using an Apple Magic mouse, this is Apple's document explaining its alternate functions.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202319