Synopsis
Ben Singer is a failed children's folk singer, a career proofreader, a less-than-extraordinary weekend dad, and perhaps the most negative man alive. Floundering in all aspects of his life, Ben's only comfort comes from regular chess games and friendly debates on game theory with his Senegalese roommate Ibou. When Ibou is suddenly struck ill, Ben's pessimistic worldview seems unequivocally confirmed. It takes an extended visit from Ibou's sister Khadi for Ben to realize that cynicism may be all a matter of perspective.
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Cast
- Matthew BroderickBen Singer
- Sanaa LathanKhadi
- Michael Kenneth WilliamsIbu
- Philip Baker HallThe Man
- Jesse Tyler FergusonCyril
- Jodelle FerlandSandra
- Ally WalkerEliza
- Mia FordMaxine - Cyril's Daughter
Recommendations
- 60
The Hollywood Reporter
Tales of cynical curmudgeons rediscovering their humanity have long been a cinematic staple, but Wonderful World brings a refreshing lack of sentimentality to its take. - 60
The New York Times
The major miscalculation in Wonderful World is the presence of a dream figure, known as the Man (Philip Baker Hall)...he throws this delicate, intelligent film, which at its best suggests a muted hybrid of “The Visitor” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” off balance. - 60
New York Daily News
As a misanthropic guy in a dead-end job, Matthew Broderick is more engaging than when he has to be perky. - 50
Variety
Joshua Goldin's directing debut has soulful qualities that have been compressed into a paint-by-numbers production. - 50
The A.V. Club
Broderick’s tendency to hang all his problems on corporate greed and heartless bureaucracy leads to some strange missteps. - 50
Los Angeles Times
Josh Goldin, a longtime screenwriter whose credits include "Darkman" and "Out on a Limb" -- and whose wife is a writer at the L.A. Times -- makes his debut as a writer-director with Wonderful World. The results of Goldin's dual efforts are promising but uneven. - 50
San Francisco Chronicle
The screenplay packs no particular surprises - some of the plot mechanics positively creak - but the leads bring some wattage and warmth to very modest indie fare. - 40
Time Out
Credit Broderick and the cast for putting across the fey Indiewood bullcrap with committed, nearly convincing effort.
