Pick of the Week 6/5/09

WONDER BOYS

Every time I sit down to watch this movie I honestly don't know what to expect, even after multiple viewings. I don't mean that I have forgotten the storyline, but that each time I watch Wonder Boys I see something different in the characters, in their relationships, and more importantly I sometimes see my life in a different perspective. And yes, I laugh till it hurts most of the way through it too.
This is the power of Curtis Hanson's amazing adaptation of Michael Chabon's much loved novel. The fact that Michael Chabon is involved with this movie makes it worth mentioning on its own.
The story revolves around Professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas) many years after the writing of his great literary work, struggling to finish the follow up. Stoned and drunk most of the time, having an affair with a married woman, and attempting to mentor a dark and disturbed young student (Tobey Maguire) while fending off the advances of his housemate and admirer (Katie Holmes) doesn’t leave Douglas much time to do anything but coast through life. However, like all lasting cinematic works, Wonder Boys is really about choice, and more importantly about the ability of individuals to make decisions instead of letting life dictate every step of the way.
If you are looking for a deep, emotional and hilariously funny movie, complete with great writing and cast, then Wonder Boys is it.

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Starring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Katie Holmes, Francis McDormand and Robert Downey Jr.

Released in 2000.