R E V I E W S

Wonder Boys (2000)

Starring: Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand
Director: Curtis Hanson
Rating: R

Studio: Warner Bros.

Review Posted: 4.21.01

Rating: 3.5/4

By Michael Brendan McLarney.

"Recapturing the Glory"

We are not so much defined by the strange, often humorous events taking place around us - but rather, it is our interpretation of those events where true definition of self rests.

At least, that's the way it is for Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas), an English professor in Pittsburgh whose university will be hosting "Wordfest," an annual literary festival during the next two days. Grady will be confronted by an array of unusual incidents and circumstances during this time - events that aren't mere coincidences, but are meant to inch him toward what is truly important. All he has to do is pay attention.

Yet that is easier said than done for Grady. He is a former "wonder boy" - defined as someone who's had great success at a young age but then lives the remainder of his life in fear of never being able to live up to his early glory. His particular success came in the form of a Great American Novel entitled "The Arsonist's Daughter." It's been seven years since its publication, and his editor (Robert Downey Jr.) is growing concerned regarding the completion of his latest effort. The author has been working feverishly on his creation, but is unable to complete it - an affliction that doesn't stop him from writing. It has increased in size to over two-thousand pages since its inception. Finishing it would mean leaving himself open to the kind of criticisms that could permanently damage his desire to ever write again - the expectations are dangerously high for his follow-up.

But the book is only a small problem Grady will have to face. His wife has just left him, and his affair with the college chancellor (Frances McDormand) has resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. Add to that a brilliant yet unstable student (Tobey Maguire), an egotistical author (Rip Torn) who was seemingly catapulted to stardom by pretentiousness rather than talent, a cantankerous dog, and another talented student (Katie Holmes) whose feelings for her teacher lie slightly beyond the typical teacher/student relationship, and you get a weekend that will change the direction of Grady's life forever, if he can realize it before everything comes crashing down.

At a time when so many movies seem to revel in their predictability, "Wonder Boys" is a true breath of fresh air - a movie that grabs the audience's attention without ever letting them in on where its story is headed. There are humorous moments that aren't labored and touching moments not shadowed by false sentimentality. The film was directed by Curtis Hanson, whose "L.A. Confidential" was one of the best films from a couple years ago, yet in a way I hold a stronger admiration for his effort this time around. The temptation must have been enormous to tinker with the script - it's not a conventional storyline, but instead a gently scribed screen adaptation by Steve ("The Fabulous Baker Boys") Kloves from the book by Michael Chabon. Unlike many other screenplays, the characters in this story are the focal point to which everything else hinges upon - a risky proposition in today's Hollywood. Hanson understands exactly what is going on here, and wisely resists the temptation to make alterations to the story he's been given. The result is a film that took risks with its approach and passed with flying colors.

Essentially the movie has been put square in the hands of the actors, and Hanson has acquired a cast clearly up to the challenge. Michael Douglas is one of our very finest actors, although at times he has a tendency to select scripts that are beneath the level of talent he can bring to the role. This is one of his better choices, and he plays it perfectly. It's a tricky balancing act - we have to like Grady Tripp, despite his flaws and creative stubborness. But at the same time, his negative character traits cannot have a false ring to them. If they do, the impact of his decisions later in the story would be tragically undermined. Douglas has a great deal on his shoulders here, but carries it off without a hitch. Tobey ("The Cider House Rules") Maguire finds the right note for the unstable James Leer - one of Grady's students who has "wonder boy" potential himself. The always wonderful Frances McDormand is terrific as the woman who loves Grady, but also has the wisdom to suspect that he may never be able to commit to her unconditionally - it's a subtle yet moving performance. Robert Downey Jr. creates a very funny and unusual character in Crabtree, Grady's editor whose comfort in his unorthodox lifestyle is so potent, it can draw anyone close to him. And Katie (TV's "Dawson's Creek") Holmes is very effective as an intelligent student of literature driven by sensitivity. She houses a love and respect for Grady that is so genuine, at one point she is able to express to him the flaw in his latest creative endeavor - she cares for him that much.

All of these wonderfully embodied characters find themselves in a situation basking in the light of absurdity - but also a light where true meaning and contentment lies waiting at the other end. Grady Tripp isn't the victim of predestination - but instead must find what's most important to him and choose the appropriate path. The events surrounding him are the proverbial hand of God, whose palm collides with his forehead until he wises up and makes that decision. It's a defining moment for the writer, and a terrific movie-going experience for the viewer.

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