Review of Wonder Boys on Filmviews.net
Year2000 ReviewerChris Docker
In the usual glut of action formulaic movies from Hollywood, this movie comes as a pleasant reminder that the USA can still make thoughtful movies aimed at the intelligent cinema-goer.
The story follows Michael Douglas' character, Professor Tripp, a literature teacher who is also a renowned author. Unfortunately Tripp hasn't finished writing anything for seven years and some of his students suspect that he has lost his edge. We follow his gradual decline, augmented by a host of other personal problems, and also the rise of an eccentric but brilliant student played by Tobey Maguire. Tripp, as a teacher, cares for the success of his students, the only remaining success, it seems in his downsliding life. Eventually, however, after heroically wading through the difficult mire of circumstances created both by himself and others, Tripp also finds his own path once more. The story is set amidst a writers' festival - a rather unusual scenario for a gripping movie - but the bland backdrop perhaps gives the necessary contrast to the inventiveness of script, character and substance.
The film has been widely hailed as Douglas' greatest performance to date. Certainly it is refreshing to see Douglas concentrate on a character study rather than an action-led or issues-led movie of his previous formulaic ilk. It is a convincing, moving and often very humorous portrayal. Whilst the movie probably stops short of serious greatness it is still a very fine film. It also has a fittingly classy soundtrack, with appropriate material by Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Tom Rush, Leonard Cohen and Neil Young.
Rating: 8/10;