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Wonderland
USA Films
FILM:
MPAA RATING: R for some strong sexuality, and for language
Starring
Shirley Henderson,
Gina McKee,
Molly Parker,
Ian Hart,
and
John Simm
This drama follows the lives of three generations of a working-class London family during a weekend of the annual "Bonfire Night" festival in London, focusing on the tangled family ties of three sisters, their parents, and the men in their lives.
| GENRE(S): |
Drama
|
| WRITTEN BY: |
Laurence Coriat
|
| DIRECTED BY: |
Michael Winterbottom
|
| RELEASE DATE: |
DVD: February 20, 2001
Video: February 20, 2001
Theatrical: July 28, 2000
|
| RUNNING TIME: |
108 minutes, Color |
| ORIGIN: |
UK |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
100
Los Angeles Times
Kevin Thomas
In short, Wonderland is an extraordinary film, as entertaining as it is observant, about ordinary people.
100
Portland Oregonian
Kim Morgan
Though Michael Winterbottom's Wonderland appears as gritty as they come, it uncommonly has a romantic heart.
100
New York Post
Jonathan Foreman
Its superb performances, music, photography, dialogue, its rhythms of tone and theme all complement each perfectly.
91
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Sean Axmaker
In Wonderland, Winterbottom has found a script worthy of his passion.
90
Film.com
Robert Horton
This is a beautiful, surprisingly uplifting movie, made by someone who actually understands people.
88
Philadelphia Inquirer
Steven Rea
A crushingly sad, beautiful film.
88
Chicago Tribune
Michael Wilmington
One of the best realistic dramas of the year.
80
Village Voice
Dennis Lim
There's not a false note among the performances: Henderson, Hart, Shepherd, Markham, and in particular McKee add unspoken complexities to their portrayals.
80
Washington Post
Stephen Hunter
While it's no good time at the movies, Wonderland is an excruciatingly authentic experience.
80
Dallas Observer
Gregory Weinkauf
The striking graininess of the film stock, the near-documentary style of the setups, and Michael Nyman's attentive score add up to a relatable and ultimately hopeful experience.
80
Washington Post
Desson Thomson
Grim, yes, and great viewing.
80
Film.com
Peter Brunette
Most important, the film is suffused with a light touch and a kind of begrudged humor that feels perfectly natural and unforced and that keeps you involved in the characters' plight.
75
Miami Herald
Sara Wildberger
There's enough here to make anyone who enjoyed -- if that's the right word -- "Happiness" or "Magnolia" splendidly unhappy.
75
Chicago Sun-Times
Roger Ebert
Movies like Wonderland invite me into the screen with them. I am curious. I begin to care.
75
San Francisco Chronicle
Mick LaSalle
Loses steam only when it strays from the sisters and attempts to depict their parents' loveless marriage.
75
Christian Science Monitor
David Sterritt
The ensemble acting is impressively in tune; and Michael Nyman's surging score adds an extra measure of emotional power.
75
Boston Globe
Jay Carr
Give it a chance and you'll probably share the cast's collective impulse to dive in and embrace it.
75
Baltimore Sun
Ann Hornaday
Winterbottom ("Welcome to Sarajevo," "Go Now") has filmed Wonderland with a hand-held 16 millimeter camera, lending the production an air of scrappy immediacy that is often arrestingly at odds with Michael Nyman's overheated musical score.
74
Mr. Showbiz
Kevin Maynard
It's another subtle, fantastic performance from McKee ("Notting Hill," "Croupier").
70
LA Weekly
Ella Taylor
With acting as good as this, Wonderland gives you all the expected pleasures of eavesdropping on the intimate lives of others.
70
Chicago Reader
Jonathan Rosenbaum
As an interweave of crosscut miniplots, this isn't nearly as interesting or as pleasurable as Jeremy Podeswa's recent "The Five Senses."
63
USA Today
Andy Seiler
If Wonderland is difficult to embrace, it is easy to admire.
63
New York Daily News
Jack Mathews
That (cinéma-vérité) feel is absolutely convincing, as are the performances.
60
Salon.com
Stephanie Zacharek
By the end of Wonderland, I might have felt completely pistol-whipped if not for the gracefulness of some of the movie's actors.
60
The New York Times
A.O. Scott
As well done as it is, Wonderland feels predictable. There is no sad turn in these characters' lives that you cannot see coming about an hour before.
50
Entertainment Weekly
Lisa Schwarzbaum
The energy is sapped by clinging condescension in the guise of compassionate liberalism.
40
TV Guide
Maitland McDonagh
The material is familiar, and doesn't have anything new to say about the ways men and women wound each other.
40
Austin Chronicle
Marc Savlov
So bereft of hope... that it's a chore to withstand.
 The average user rating for this movie is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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