Review of Wonder Boys (2000) by Tim F — 01 Mar 2010
After the success of L.A. Confidential (1997), director Curtis Hanson decided to try something a little different, something a little lighter but with good characters. He chose upon doing an adaptation of Michael Chabon's 1995 novel, which on paper could have been messed up with a film adaptation, but Hanson retained the book's love of it's colourful and offbeat characters.
The result is one of the most unsung masterpieces of last decade. It has Professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas), who teaches creative writing at a top Pittsburgh university. His marriage is in absolute tatters, and he's having an affair with the University's Dean, Sara Gaskell (Frances McDormand).
One of Tripp's students Hannah (Katie Holmes) rents a room in his house, while her friend and fellow student James Leer (Tobey Maguire) is dark and quiet. Tripp has just finished the manuscript for a new novel which his editor Terry Crabtree (Robert Downey Jr.
) has come to see during the University;s weekend long literary event. But during this weekend, nothing seems to go right for Tripp. It's a brilliant little comedy-drama with some brilliant performances, Douglas hasn't been this brilliant in ages, and Maguire (pre-Spidey) is engaging and tremendous.
It has some very funny set pieces, real emotion and heart and a brilliant Oscar-winning theme song by Bob Dylan. This is actually Curtis Hanson's masterpiece, what a pity it was dumped by it's studio upon release.
It's rare you get a film with freewheeling spirit and heart like this...
This review of Wonder Boys (2000) was written by Tim F on 01 Mar 2010.
Wonder Boys has generally received very positive reviews.
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