 Next Stop Wonderland (1998) Throw in a couple of oddball sidekicks who are equally made for each other, some adorable pets, furniture from Shabby Chic, a few slapstick moments of slamming doors and missed opportunities, and you have yourself a movie. Next Stop Wonderland isn't that much different from the standard romantic comedy except 1) it has no celebrities pretending to be "normal," and 2) its characters and situations are a hell of a lot more interesting. And this despite a rather clichéd plot, similar to You've Got Mail in that the two leads don't even know each other for most of the film. Wonderland is essentially the story of Erin (Hope Davis), whose boyfriend (the always-interesting Philip Seymour Hoffman) dumps her in favor of "activism." She then attempts to reconcile the desire to be alone with the desire to have a relationship. This is complicated by her overbearing mother (the always-appreciated Holland Taylor) and Cricket, a work friend who tries to set Erin up and gets jealous when the guy hits on her. She eventually gives in and meets with several men who answer an ad her mother placed that describes the mother more than it does Erin. Circling around, always just not meeting her, is Alan (Alan Gelfant), a plumber with mob debts who wants to be a marine biologist. It is presented as an act of fate that Alan volunteers at the aquarium, Wonderland, where the party occurs at which Cricket tries to set Erin up (the same aquarium where the ex-boyfriend is protesting further development), and that Alan's a-hole brother and his two a-hole friends answer Erin's personals ad as a cruel bet to see who will "get tongue" first. That's probably the least interesting and most conventional aspect of the film, the whole fate thing. We know they're destined to meet, we actually want them to meet, and at times it seems like the filmmakers are trying too hard to make us want them to meet. The film is saved by Erin, and Hope Davis's simple, straightforward performance. Erin's a rather inaccessible woman who knows what she wants in a man, and doesn't suffer fools gladly. Several scenes depict Erin shooting down would-be suitors with some of the most direct retorts this reviewer has seen, particularly a moment when a paunchy older man starts making lewd suggestions and with one quick comment she reduces him nearly to tears. By contrast we also see her as a nurse, which softens the character without the usual cloying "we're supposed to like her" hijinks. Actually, the first scene at her job is probably the funniest moment in the film, showing how an attempt to entertain some patients completely backfires. Another point in the film's favor is that both characters end up in relationships that seem like they might pan out, even though deep down we know they can't. Erin's situation is probably more promising than Alan's, although I highly question a single man who repeatedly turns down advances from a very attractive, very interested younger woman. I guess Alan is for the most part "above that," which I think is a flaw in the writing. Too much nobility in one person makes it hard to believe. Did I say this was a point in the film's favor? To wrap up my perfunctory review, Wonderland is by no means a great film, but it is sweet and romantic and simple, a good date film. You won't be surprised by nearly anything in it, but it's worth watching. That could also describe my colostomy bag. Don't let my lack of enthusiasm fool you, rent this movie with someone you like, or someone who likes you, or both. Just keep the noise down, please; I'm badly hungover.
Review by Crimedog |