Wonder Boys

Wonder Boys – 2000. Screenplay by Steven Kloves based on the novel by Michael Chabon. Directed by Curtis Hanson. Stars Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand, Robert Downey Jr and Katie Holmes

Wonder Boys tells the story of author/English professor Grady Tripp whose life is falling apart. His wife has left him (backstory/catalyst), his latest novel is years behind schedule, he's in love with his boss' wife and he ends up looking after a talented but strange (aren't they always) student for a weekend. Hilarity ensues. There's more of a plot than that but it's not where the worth of the movie rests.

The most disturbing thing about Wonder Boys is that although it presents some evidence to the contrary, it really does come down on the side of good writing getting produced by once-in-a-generation talents and idiot savants. Sure, us hacks might be popular and we may approach greatness but really good writing has to come from emotional wrecks and disassociated but gifted youth. That stuff sucks but overall the movie has some interesting things to say about writing, writers and the industry. At times it feels like a sitcom - you know how the plot's going to play out and where the characters will end up - but that's okay here because it's a fun ride. Wonder Boys is a movie where the joys are in the small things - the character interactions, the wry dialogue and the absurdity of the whole situation, which comes to the surface regularly.

It took me a few viewings to realise the movie is a character comedy, and is best enjoyed as such. The acting is good, the dialogue is sharp. Michael Douglas is superb. Worth a look.

Plot writing quotient: 5/5
Feel-good writing rating: 4/5

Cool writing quote:

Oola: So what was it about? Your book. What was the story?

Grady:  I don't know.

Crabtree: What he means is... it's difficult to distil the essence of a book sometimes... because it lives in the mind.

Vernon: But you got to know what it was about, right? If you didn't know what it was about, why were you writing it?

Grady: I couldn't stop.

Here’s one of the regular posts I promised. There are plenty of movies around about writing or writers, so I figured I might review one every week or so.

Stand By Me

Stand By Me – 1986. Screenplay by Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans based on the Stephen King novella ‘The Body.’ Directed by Rob Reiner. Stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell and Keifer Sutherland.

In Stand By Me, four 12-year-old mates camp out and go in search of the body of a kid who had been hit by a train a few days before. It’s essentially a coming of age story for the Wil Wheaton – Gordie - and River Phoenix – Chris - characters. Keiffer Sutherland and his band of obligatory town baddies throw in some plot momentum in a race to find the body, but mostly Stand By Me is a character story. Along the way the four friends face some challenges and learn a bit about themselves. Yes, it really is that simple.

Narrated by the now-middle-aged Gordie, the movie is brilliantly evocative. It seems too sickly sweet on the outside – the visual style, the ‘50s music, the young actors carrying the bulk of the load – but it really isn’t. It leans heavily towards schmaltzy (hey, it’s a Rob Reiner film) and lazy viewers probably won’t scratch the surface much but those who do will be rewarded with a complex story about four boys growing, or really two boys growing up and two being left behind.

There’s not much for writers to ponder plot-wise. But once you’ve watched the film, try listening to it. Good writing is about voice and the clear, simple narration alone makes it worthwhile.

Plot writing quotient: 2/5
Feel-good writing rating: 4/5

Cool writing quote:

Gordie: Fuck writing, I don't want to be a writer. It's stupid. It's a stupid waste of time.
Chris: That's your dad talking.
Gordie: Bullshit.
Chris: Bull true.