Segue Zagnut, AICN reporter, reviewer, spy, filed the following while flying cross country on a mission for that most Evil Film Advocate, Moriarty. FATHER GEEK has just broken the complex code the twisted genius' henchmen use and is filing the review here for all to see even at the risk of yet another visit from the professor's chief enforcer, Mongo, whose shadow crossed my doorstep only 10 days ago, buuut the word must get out on this excellant motion picture no matter the personal risk...
This is Segue Zagnut. I was on the Paramount lot sulking in the shadows of a Christmas party, when I realized that Curtis Hanson's new film was secretly screening only feet away. WONDERBOYS, staring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maquire, and Francis McDormand, is based on a novel of the same name that I have never read and I was not about to miss.
Douglas plays a literary writer and college professor, who has lost his spark. The movie starts 7 years after his first book reaches monumental critical success and Douglas hasn't finished a book since. Not for lack of trying though, he has amassed thousands of pages on a book with no end. Of course, nobody knows this, even his publisher, played by Robert Downey Jr.
Maquire plays a possibly suicidal student of Douglas's who's writing abilities far surpasses other students. Like many in the class, Maquire idolizes Douglas and came to this college specifically to be taught by him.
The film starts here, with Maguire latching onto the professor in a wild set up of events that leave them dealing with a dead dog, Marilyn Monroe's jacket, a stolen car, pregnancy, and a host of other problems distracting them from AND leading them to a closure of self-discovery.
This film works. Hanson shoots it with a visual detailing that allows the literary aspects to flourish without bogging down the film. Everything looks real and organic. People are frumpled and messy. The snow is wet and heavy. From the soggy pizza hanging off the porch in the rain to the just woke up look of Douglas through out the picture, Hanson adds texture that pulls you in. In one of the most beautiful looking scenes, the snow just hangs in the air. Flying this way and that, never really landing, it is the perfect background to Douglas and Maguire's first off-campus meeting.
The story is clear and lyrical as it places you in the surreal world of an artist searching for his muse. The film balances character and story arch with confidence that isn't afraid to take chances. For example, Douglas smokes pot through out the movie… in the car… at work… with his students and the film never apologizes for it. Downey's character is at least bi-sexual and it is not played with a heavy hand. In fact, the whole film has an understated quality to it, giving it a more personal connection. I somehow missed L.A. Confidential, Hanson's last film. I can see why his directing was so well lauded.
Douglas puts in his best performance in years, charismatic and fucked up. He plays the drugged and confused professor with such honesty and understanding, it is hard to believe he hasn't been there himself.
Maguire proves he is a solid performer again. With PLEASENTVILLE, CIDER HOUSE RULES, and RIDE WITH THE DEVIL, Tobey is on a winning streak. All high quality films with more depth then the average fare.
McDormand is perfectly real as both Douglas's lover and boss. You can see her inner torment. She watches Douglas throw everything, including their relationship, down the drain. At the same time, she longs for him to commit to her. The torment comes from how long can she wait. Fire him... leave him... marry him. I realize this sounds typical, but it is not played that way. McDormand and Douglas make it work.
I've never watched Dawson's Creek and never plan to, but Katie Holmes who plays a small part, is perfect. She plays a student of his who also happens to rent his extra room. She fell in love with Douglas the moment she read his acclaimed book, like Maquire choosing Douglas to be her teacher because of it. She plays it with an honest charm and harmless innocence that radiates the room. Hanson and Douglas make her scenes somehow sexy yet paternal so you don't really want to see them end up together but you are attracted none the less. I want to see what Holmes is up to next.
Overall a good solid film. I believe the release date is in Feb. 2000, look for it then. I'm afraid I've said too much
Consider This... Segue Zagnut
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