Arianna Moses
Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
Zlatica
One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.
Philippa
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
noralee
"Next Stop Wonderland" was an absolutely wonderful romantic comedy. It right away became one of my favorite of the genre of magic realism bringing lovers together genre. It helps to like the New England Aquarium and Boston (the title is a pun on a transit stop) - hey who doesn't.Hope Davis was wonderful in "Daytrippers" and she shines here. It's just a matter of time until she gets cast as the sister to Lisa Kudrow in a movie.Terrific use of lovely Brazilian music all through. (originally written 4/11/1999)
sheila77
I was surprised by my own reaction to this movie. I felt the loneliness and anxiety that the characters demonstrate. The movie really catch me and became one of my favorites. The wait for the meeting between a nurse and a plumber gave us several moments of pure joy by the intelligence in those takes. As a Brazilian person I have to say that the soundtrack is delicious. We have here some sweet pieces of Bossa nova that harmonically fit in to the story and give us unforgettable moments in the movie. And what about that friendly baloonfish? Its already a character apart. I certainly recommend this movie to the ones who demand a reflective story about human anxieties admirably conduced by sensitive and intelligent Brad Anderson. Thanks, Brad, for the experience.
geclaure
This film is exactly how romance was meant to be portrayed on film. Love leaves you vulnerable, completely exposed, mad, and yet it is all worth the road where it takes us. This movie shows you that road for two people, and paints it so beautifully. It has been a long time that I have laughed at moments so familiar. This movie takes us places we've all been, or where we are right now. I am so angry at my friends for never telling me about this movie. I found it on the IFC channel today 5/11/05. This movie ranks in my book up there for romance movies w/Say Anything, Frankie and Johnny, and A Little Bit of Romance. Watch this film, it'll enlighten you and make you smile. Now who doesn't want to smile?
lavatch
Why is it with so many good indie films, the story, dialogue, and characters are engaging, yet the films abruptly end without a catharsis or denouement? In "Next Stop Wonderland," the film revolves around the character Erin, played by the fine actress Hope Davis, who finds just the right balance between toughness and vulnerability in her character. Erin has just been dumped by her boyfriend (Philip Seymour Hoffman), and she now must field a steady stream of phone calls from men responding to a personal's ad placed for her by our heroine's mother! This good premise leads to a string of effective romantic scenes with snappy contemporary slang expressions and nice location footage in Boston. There is also a beguiling sound track of Latin songs, which recalls for the protagonist her relationship with her beloved father, who apparently spent time in Brazil. The film provides a solid ensemble of actors and an engaging profile of a woman in her 30's in our stress-filled era. The writers needed only to return to Playwriting 101 to tie together all of the story's loose ends (including what happened to the protagonist's father) and leave us with a satisfactory final scene.
