Wonder Boys DVD: Review By kerouac1

Sometimes a film is so well written that no feat of bad acting can screw it up. The dialogue is just pitch perfect; planned so meticulously that all the rhythm and flow of it is inherent. When that happens, you get a film that you can just adore. So sit back and marvel at how well written it was.

But rarer still is the expertly written film that is then blessed with an amazing cast. The cast, although they do not need to add much to the writing, adds that little something extra that gives the characters that lived in, real feeling. And it's that little something extra that does not make you sit back and marvel at the writing, but it allows the film as a whole to engulf you. It's so natural, you almost forget you're even watching a film in the first place. That is the level of craftsmanship on display here in Wonder Boys.

Here's the story in a ridiculously condensed version. (Note: No synopsis could do this story justice) Michael Douglas plays Professor Grady Tripp, a once accomplished writer who's follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut novel is 7 years in the works. As the film opens, his young wife just left him, he's caught up in an affair with Sara Gaskell (Francis McDormand), one of the college Chancellors, and his editor, Terry Crabtree (Robert Downey Jr.) is coming into town to see how progress is coming along on his next novel. Tripp deals with all of this by smoking weed to "clear his head". Add to the mix an oddball writing student, James Leer (Tobey Maguire), and the stage is set for one bizarre weekend. I'm not going to go into more detail than that because, like I said, no synopsis could ever do the film justice.

The performances by every single actor are incredible. Douglas does some of the best work I've ever seen from him as Tripp. McDormand shines as she once again proves that she is one of the best Actresses working in the business today, and one of the finest actors to ever grace the screen, period. Watching Downey Jr. just depresses you because the man has so much talent as an actor. He brings so much to the offbeat, odd character of Crabtree. Any other actor could have easily taken Crabtree too far over the top, but Downey Jr. is on top of his game, and seeing him really makes you wish he would kill off his demons and begin putting out great work like this again. And then there's Tobey Maguire. Is there an actor out there with more promise in his or her future than Tobey Maguire? I don't think so. His resume just keeps getting more and more impressive, and his range seems to know no limits.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, as well as the nice 2.35 : 1 transfer make this film look and sound great. Technically, the disc is very, very sound.

Cast and Crew Interviews

These feature Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand, Tobey Maguire, director Curtis Hanson. Fairly interesting, if not terribly deep, interviews. They're worth a look, but not much else.

Location map with explanations by Curtis Hanson

Somewhat novel, somewhat interesting idea that never fully pans out for me. It seems more like a distracting little tidbit than a full blown Special Feature.

Songs of "Wonder Boys" with commentary by Curtis Hanson

Now this is a good one. The music in the film is so deliberate, and to hear director Hanson talk about that is great.

Music video: "Things Have Changed" by Bob Dylan

I never thought the song was all that great, and I'm a huge Dylan fan. But it received the recognition and launched 'ol Bobby back into the spotlight, which ain't a bad thing.

All in all, the features on this disc are a disappointment. Where are the deleted scenes? Where's the Director's Commentary?

As a whole, Wonder Boys is worth adding to your DVD collection in spite of the weak features. The film is just that good. Expertly written, acted, and directed, the film just has a subtle way of grabbing you and not letting go until the end. And at the end, you definitely want more, which is where the features would normally come in. (Grrrr...) Watch it to see one of the best actors ever (McDormand) once again at the top of her game. Watch it to see Douglas step way out of his typical character range to play the conflicted, down on his luck pothead, Tripp. Watch it to see the future of great acting, Tobey Maguire, tear away at the insides of a character, making him extremely surreal, yet wholey believable. Watch it for screenwriter Steve Kloves' incredible adaption of Michael Chabon's novel.

Easily one of the best films of 2000, yet criminally overlooked. It's in my all-time top 10.