Wonder Boys

Decision time

Wonder Boys (Cert. 15)
Dir. Curtis Hanson
Starring: Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand

Professor Tripp (Michael Douglas) is having an unusually bad weekend. His (third or fourth) wife has left him. His editor has shown up expecting a completed manuscript for a novel that is seven years overdue.

His 'girlfriend' (the college principal) has told him she's pregnant with his child. And to cap it all, Tripp's most gifted student has just accidentally shot the Head of English's dog and stolen from him a jacket that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe. All in the first half hour of the film.

So what's it all about? What is the point to this weird weekend? Well, Tripp finally realises he has to make a few choices about his life. What is the most important thing to him? His wife who has walked out on him? His precious novel? His girlfriend and her unborn child? Or his students and their futures?

After many twists, turns and somersaults, the Prof finally faces up to the realisation that he's got to decide what the purpose of his life is. A very entertaining film that deals with questions of morality and responsibility that had me holding my sides with laughter at many points. It was a shame (as with so many people we know) that God isn't even one of the options that he considers. Sadly let down, as with so many modern films, by foul language and unnecessary nudity, so I can't recommend it.

Martin Cole

© Evangelicals Now - January 2001
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