Wonder Boys

R

Released Feb 25, 2000

1h 52m

Comedy

Drama

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for Wonder Boys: Trailer 1

List

81%

127 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Grady (Michael Douglas) is a 50-ish English professor who hasn't had a thing published in years -- not since he wrote his award winning "Great American Novel" 7 years ago. This weekend proves even worse than he could imagine as he finds himself reeling from one misadventure to another in the company of a new wonder boy author.

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Critics Consensus

Michael Douglas and Tobey Maguire do wonders in this clever dark comedy.

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Lady S

A beautiful representation of the book, Wonder Boys is supported by an excellent cast and performances by Douglas, McDormand, Downey Jr and Maguire. Probably the best you will get from Holmes, which isn't much - but it's ok.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/24

Full Review

Ryan J

This is Michael Douglas at his best. playing a role that is far different from the previous characters he has played. The movie reminds me of James Joyce's short story "The Dead" (only it was a comedy) There is a specific scene that incorporates my statement. While James Leer is standing outside of the university's chancellor's home for the English Department's yearly conference for "Writers and wannabes" professor Tripp (Michael Douglas) accosts James in the dark, apparently holding a cap gun: ________________________ Professor Tripp: Cold James? James: It's colder in there. ________________________ Ryan James Carson Tulsa Oklahoma

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

Barry G

"Wonder Boys" certainly deserves a lot more love. Curtis Hanson directed the best 'normal' film ever. It's cute, it's interesting, and most of all it's heartwarming. Everyone should see it right away.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/14/23

Full Review

Taylor L

"I need an actor to play a strung-out has-been that our main characters lean on for prescription drugs. What's Robert Downey Jr. doing in this glorious year of 2000?" Almost a comic Catcher in the Rye for grown children, with its discussions of maturity, a penchant for literature, and general misadventures; Michael Douglas portrays an author admired for his one book, released years prior, which he has not followed up, preferring instead to put the real world off with an endless, meandering text and the intermittent bowl of weed now and then. However, his tenuous peace coasting on previous success all of a sudden comes crashing down, boiling over into a series of coincidental events that threaten to break apart many of his relationships. The film is populated by a cast of academics and intellectuals, plus a few refreshingly authentic people for context, Wonder Boys is meant to inspire a bit of self-reflection with its frequent 'busy for the sake of being busy' nature and aimless meandering; the plot's wandering design is really well paired with the generally unfocused nature of Douglas's Grady Tripp. There's a bit of bitter self-reflection but also an oddly upbeat, Capra-esque resolution despite all the subplots. It's not a personal favorite, but Tripp's personal journey through the suburbs of Pittsburgh with a cast of recognizable actors is still worthwhile. And yes, RDJ was on parole during the shoot but was by all accounts a consummate professional on set. Right before returning to LA once it was done and immediately violating his parole. It's hard to feel a sense of empathy for a character who gives his final monologue about how he "lost everything" from his glass-encased corner home office, watching his loving wife carry their newborn child into their house. That final scene is all about reorientation and how our protagonist benefited from it, but it's still funny to think about. (3/5)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

Full Review

dara b

One of the most wholesome, intelligent film experiences I know. I can watch that one over and over again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Katherine D

I honestly don't know how many times I've watched this film has to be about 50 times 🤣,it's honestly outstanding,from the all star talented cast to the with very clever and witty dialogue,it's a masterpiece,it's so down to earth and realistic for an American film , it's hilarious ,sad and makes you think at times ,love it !!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/05/22

Full Review

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Curtis Hanson

Director

Michael Douglas

Grady Tripp

Tobey Maguire

James Leer

Frances McDormand

Sara Gaskell

Robert Downey Jr.

Terry Crabtree

Katie Holmes

Hannah Green

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Wonder Boys: Official Clip - Good Boy Poe

1:05

Wonder Boys: Official Clip - James Figures Out the Affair

0:22

Wonder Boys: Official Clip - Fit as a Fiddle

1:25

Wonder Boys: Official Clip - Suicide Savant

1:12

Wonder Boys: Official Clip - I'm Not Letting You Sleep at the Bus Station

0:45

Wonder Boys: Official Clip - You Didn't Really Make Any Choices

1:24

Wonder Boys: Official Clip - I Take it Back...Shoot Him

1:17

Wonder Boys: Official Clip - Getting There

0:57

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Wonder Boys: Trailer 1

1:58

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

This grand mess of a movie has many pleasures.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

Variety

Michael Douglas gives the best perfromance of his career (to be remembered at Oscar time) in this screwball comedy about a college professor who's pushed into maturity by forces beyond his control; a well-acted coming-of-age saga for adults.

Rated: A-

Apr 5, 2007

Full Review

Time Out

Wonder Boys digresses so entertainingly, you forget how quickly Grady got into the mess he's in, and can't imagine where we might be headed.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

This outwardly gloomy movie is as gentle and pleasant a film as we’re likely to get from a major studio this year.

Rated: B

Sep 2, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Wonder Boys reminds us that life is about putting one sentence after another, knowing when to start the next chapter, and realizing when it's time to discard your progress altogether and start something new.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 17, 2022

Full Review

Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

Classy but listless existential privilege.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 16, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Grady (Michael Douglas) is a 50-ish English professor who hasn't had a thing published in years -- not since he wrote his award winning "Great American Novel" 7 years ago. This weekend proves even worse than he could imagine as he finds himself reeling from one misadventure to another in the company of a new wonder boy author.

Director: Curtis Hanson
Producer: Ned Dowd, Adam Schroeder
Screenwriter: Michael Chabon, Steve Kloves
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Marubeni Corporation, Curtis Hanson Productions, Mutual Film Company, Scott Rudin Productions, MFF, Paramount Pictures, BBC
Rating: R (Language|Drug Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 25, 2000, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Nov 10, 2000
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.4M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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