Wonder Wheel

Name: Wonder Wheel
Genre: Drama
Released: December 1, 2017
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 45
Cast: Brittini Schreiber, David Krumholtz, Debi Mazar, Geneva Carr, Jack Gore

2017

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 57 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 57 Ratings

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Wonder Wheel

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Movie Details & Credits

Amazon Studios | Release Date: December 1, 2017 | PG-13

Starring: Brittini Schreiber, David Krumholtz, Debi Mazar, Geneva Carr, Jack Gore, James Belushi, Juno Temple, Justin Timberlake, Kate Winslet, Matthew Maher, Max Casella, Robert C. Kirk, Steve Schirripa, Tommy Nohilly, Tony Sirico

Summary: Wonder Wheel tells the story of four characters whose lives intertwine amid the hustle and bustle of the Coney Island amusement park in the 1950s: Ginny (Kate Winslet), an emotionally volatile former actress now working as a waitress in a clam house; Humpty (Jim Belushi), Ginny’s rough-hewn carousel operator husband; Mickey (JustinWonder Wheel tells the story of four characters whose lives intertwine amid the hustle and bustle of the Coney Island amusement park in the 1950s: Ginny (Kate Winslet), an emotionally volatile former actress now working as a waitress in a clam house; Humpty (Jim Belushi), Ginny’s rough-hewn carousel operator husband; Mickey (Justin Timberlake), a handsome young lifeguard who dreams of becoming a playwright; and Carolina (Juno Temple), Humpty’s long-estranged daughter, who is now hiding out from gangsters at her father’s apartment.… Expand

Director: Woody Allen

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 101 min

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Critic Reviews

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Oct 13, 2017

Winslet delivers her most powerful, emotionally resonant performance in more than a decade. Read full review

Rex Reed

Dec 5, 2017

It may not be one of the best, most inspired and fully realized classics in the master director’s oeuvre, but it towers above almost everything else in the junk pile of 2017 year-end releases. Read full review

Empire Helen O'Hara

Mar 12, 2018

The film’s glowing, golden cinematography suggests a far warmer story than it in fact delivers, but Winslet’s stunning turn is worth a look if you can stand the consciously stagey feel. Read full review

Alan Scherstuhl

Nov 30, 2017

The camerawork in Allen’s customary long takes is fluid, even arresting, but Winslet’s performance would benefit from the kind of editing these long takes don’t allow. Rather than loose, the ensemble often seems underrehearsed, and too many of Winslet’s lines have little impact. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

May 12, 2018

It isn’t Allen escaping into the past so much as defensively dredging it up, script-wise. And though he’s hired another world-class cinematographer, Vittorio Storaro, to give this the gaudy hypercoloured glow of a pastichey Douglas Sirk melodrama, the film’s look is pushy and unattractive, as if it’s wearing too much lipstick. Read full review

Moira Macdonald

Dec 7, 2017

It’s just a bad movie; a flat melodrama in which some lovely camerawork and a ferocious central performance from Winslet can’t conceal the rote tiredness of it all. Read full review

Barbara VanDenburgh

Dec 7, 2017

The dialogue is agony. Read full review

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User Reviews

aurora1

Dec 6, 2018

I really don't get the bad reviews this movie has gotten, I reckon Wonder Wheel is a shockingly underestimated gem, and usually I'm not a huge fan of Allen. But in this movie everything seems perfect to me,starting from the saturated palette created by Vittorio Storaro, which evokes a senseI really don't get the bad reviews this movie has gotten, I reckon Wonder Wheel is a shockingly underestimated gem, and usually I'm not a huge fan of Allen. But in this movie everything seems perfect to me,starting from the saturated palette created by Vittorio Storaro, which evokes a sense of celebrating nostalgia for the amazing '50s and stresses the dreaming nature of the protagonist (a Kate Winslet in state of grace), a palette that describes the protagonist's feelings, showed through a blue or a golden shade on her persona, Picasso's style. I loved the metatheatrical bits, the numerous references to the Greek tragedy (the movie itself feels like it's a stage play). And this is the best I can do with my second language.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Modfan

Jan 21, 2019

Allen has hits and misses. Match Point was a hit, and with his other films, there are obvious misses. Wonder Wheel is a hit. It has a great measured pace and lyrical dialogue. Winslet embraces her role fully and it's hard to believe she wasn't nominated for best actor. Aesthetically cohesiveAllen has hits and misses. Match Point was a hit, and with his other films, there are obvious misses. Wonder Wheel is a hit. It has a great measured pace and lyrical dialogue. Winslet embraces her role fully and it's hard to believe she wasn't nominated for best actor. Aesthetically cohesive it charmingly represents the 1950s. It comes across as a stage play made into a movie as the long monologues of the characters are engaging and revealing of their inner, human flaws. The storyline has a similar theme of his other works but the acting here becomes paramount - especially Winslet - and leaves the viewer less inclined to fault him for this. The Timberlake character does come across as too modern and slightly anachronistic but otherwise, this movie is greatly under-rated. Can't understand how it has received such poor ratings.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BHBarry

Dec 10, 2017

“Wonder Wheel” is the annual film submission by writer-director Woody Allen and stars Kate Winslet, Juno Temple, Jim Belushi and Justin Timberlake. The film takes place in circa 1950 in Brooklyn’s famed Coney Island section amidst the backdrop of the infamous wheel invented by Mr. Ferris.“Wonder Wheel” is the annual film submission by writer-director Woody Allen and stars Kate Winslet, Juno Temple, Jim Belushi and Justin Timberlake. The film takes place in circa 1950 in Brooklyn’s famed Coney Island section amidst the backdrop of the infamous wheel invented by Mr. Ferris. This writer’s problem with the film stems from, firstly, the history of great films made by Mr.Allen and the tendency to compare each new entry with the gems of the past. Secondly, and on a much more personal note, the little old lady sitting next to me was using a device that displayed closed captioning and was a real distraction to the person sitting next to her, i.e. me. That being entered into the equation, I found the film to be mildly interesting with an all too simple plot. What makes the film standout, however, is the unbelievable acting of Ms. Winslet who dominates the screen whenever she appears and saves the film from the mediocrity to which it might otherwise have been relegated. Outstanding, too, are the performances of Mr. Belushi, Mr. Timberlake and Ms. Temple. But for me, a native Brooklynite and daily summer visitor to Coney Island, the water, beach, rides, boardwalk and the nostalgia they foster make the viewing experience that much more enjoyable. I give the film a 7 rating but wonder (no pun intended) how it would have played without Ms. Winslet and/or the location.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

JLuis_001

Jan 8, 2018

With this film I have confirmed what I had already thought of Woody Allen's filmography, because since Vicky Cristina Barcelona to the date, the man has fallen into another creative blunder and in nine years he has only delivered two solid films and this is not one of them. And I'm quiteWith this film I have confirmed what I had already thought of Woody Allen's filmography, because since Vicky Cristina Barcelona to the date, the man has fallen into another creative blunder and in nine years he has only delivered two solid films and this is not one of them. And I'm quite disappointed because this one looked promising.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Dec 18, 2017

Like he did for Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine, Woody Allen has given another Kate (Winslet) a role that allows her to go all out. Unfortunately, this character is so unbearably neurotic that's Winslet isn't liable to win an Oscar (as Blanchett did). She plays a waitress in '50s Coney IslandLike he did for Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine, Woody Allen has given another Kate (Winslet) a role that allows her to go all out. Unfortunately, this character is so unbearably neurotic that's Winslet isn't liable to win an Oscar (as Blanchett did). She plays a waitress in '50s Coney Island who's married to a blustery carousel operator (Jim Belushi). His estranged daughter (Juno Temple) shows up on the lam from gangsters, while the local lifeguard (Justin Timberlake, who also acts as narrator) causes hearts to flutter. The period creation is fun and Vittorio Storaro's gold-infused cinematography adds visual richness. There are obvious parallels to Tennessee Williams and/or Eugene O'Neil, but this screenplay only features continuous conflicts and melodramatic histrionics that lack much depth or emotion. Since it's Allen, there's a level of filmmaking competence, but its flaws outweigh its strenghs.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MattBrady99

Jan 14, 2018

'Wonder Wheel' is a gorgeous looking film with terrific acting, but sadly feels uneven. It's more of a stage performance than a movie.

It's amazing to me that Woody Allen can bump out a movie each year and make it so rich and old fashion. Unfortunately the film themselves have become a'Wonder Wheel' is a gorgeous looking film with terrific acting, but sadly feels uneven. It's more of a stage performance than a movie.

It's amazing to me that Woody Allen can bump out a movie each year and make it so rich and old fashion. Unfortunately the film themselves have become a faded memory for me, expect for 'Midnight in Paris'. I don't remember a single thing that happened in his previous movie 'Café Society'. This will suffer the same thing.

Allen making a love triangle around a woman and her stepchild isn't the smartest thing to do with his controversial past. You are literally putting light on your issues. Sometimes art itself can't spare it's artiest.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RTFORD

Aug 10, 2018

If you make the mistake of viewing this film, pay special attention to Justin Timberlake. It's as if he's been possessed by Woody Allen. Even Timberlake's diction is similar to Allen's. Timberlake is Woody Allen by proxy. All in all, a pretty boring flick.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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