Next Stop Wonderland (1998)

So we have two single thirty somethings not in search of their soul mate. They have each found contentment in their loneliness. One is surrounded among friendly co-workers intent on discussing their on-going efforts to couple, an overbearing mother and a comedic slew of male suitors who all sadly paint the world of Nurse Erin Castleton (Hope Davis). On the other side is Alan "I don't want to be a plumber for the rest of my life" Monteiro (Alan Gelfant), who despite his studies, seems doomed to just that. Their worlds start to mingle and you can see where this is going, it's a rom-com at face value. But what gives it more than passing interest is that writer/director Brad Anderson says that while it's fun to see what gets people together, what's really interesting is what keeps people together. The only fault is that there is no answer even hinted at. Maybe that's the point. While not as heavy handed oil conclusion as in When Harry Met sally, Next Stop Wonderland is a bit contagious, telling and aloof all at the same time, which is quite charming...The talk and music focuses on "saudade" (nostalgia for something gone and contentment in desiring something that may not return) found as a constant theme in Bossa Nova music predominant throughout. Combining cold Boston weather with warm Brazilian music is brilliant for the intriguing "trip from saudade" for these two. Worth withstanding the predictable rom-com format.

This is one of the dullest, most boring movies we've ever tried to watch. I don't know what movie the positive reviewers saw - it couldn't have been the same one!We made it through 22 agonizing minutes, and only stayed around that long because of the rave reviews. We kept hoping it would get better, but it only got worse and worse.The writing is blah, the acting wooden, and none of the characters seemed like real people. Forget this one, and see Sleepless in Seattle instead.I liked Hope Davis in Mumford - a far better film. She just looks tired and bored in this one.

Hope Davis has become what I like to call a hidden success. Her movies don't make a gazillion dollars at the box office and you'd probably hardly notice her if she passed you on the street. But what she does — and does well — is create lovable and memorable characters on celluloid. Most recently she was paired with Greg Kinnear in THE MATADOR, a role in which her underused talents still shone brightly with every scene she appeared.I decided to watch NEXT STOP WONDERLAND for the sole purpose of checking to see how well Mrs. Davis stood as an actress in a starring role. I wasn't disappointed.The story is that of a nurse named Erin (Davis) who comes home one day to find her boyfriend, Sean (Philip Seymour Hoffman, CAPOTE) moving out. Angry and spiteful, Erin quickly decides that being alone is okay. In fact, she firmly entrenches the philosophy of aloneness within herself ...until...Erin's domineering mother, Piper (Holland Taylor, THE TRUMAN SHOW), discovers her daughter's recent break-up and places a personals ad in the newspaper for her. Initially upset by this, Erin eventually decides to take on the task of dismissing all of the loathsome men who try to court her. The comedy here is striking and philosophical as the men do whatever they can to get into her pants only to be rebuffed by Erin's formidable intellect.On the other side of Boston (where this story takes place) we find Alan Monteiro (Alan Gelfant, TURN OF FAITH), a plumber turned marine biologist who volunteers at the local aquarium. He's struggling with debt, school (still working on his biology degree), and an aggressive younger classman who's infatuated with him. Strangely enough, too, is the fact that his brother is one of the guy's trying to bed Erin via the personals ad.As Erin and Alan mingle within their own circles, they come close to orbiting one another but never quite make contact. Brief glances, telephone calls that pass them by, invitations to the same restaurant parties, the two seemed destined to fall into one another's arms ...yet these encounters slip past. It's wonderfully frustrating to watch, and these "almost encounters" are never forced.But in the end, director Brad Anderson doesn't let us down. Serendipity intervenes and the two strangers end up hugging one another on a transit train after a strange set of circumstances pulls them together.Romantic comedies are okay if done right. You know the type that kind of make you feel, eh, just okay; You've Got Mail, Pretty Woman, Sleepless In Seattle. But this flick gives you more for less. Made as an independent film on a $1 million budget, Hope Davis' excellent acting and the perfect script make for some thought-provoking and downright funny moments. While those other RomComs I mentioned have a basic "feel-good" to them, NEXT STOP WONDERLAND has much more. The philosophy, romance, and comedy all build to a very satisfying conclusion and one that will invite discussions about the probabilities of fate versus happenstance.

Erin (Hope Davis) is recently single (her boyfriend moved out), a nurse and looking for Mr. Right. Alan (Alan Gelfant) works at the New England Aquarium, is a student and has no time for love. Naturally they're made for each other. We watch their separate lives all through the movie slowly intertwining them and drawing them to each other.This is a very small independent film, shot in Boston and picked up by Miramax. If you know Boston and the surrounding cities some of this is amusing. Erin lives in a huge apartment in Beacon Hill--there's no way a nurse could afford that. Also she meets all her dates a bar called the Burren which is located two towns away in Somerville! But they did get Wonderland right--that's a station on the Blue Line subway where Alan lives near.Those little goofs aside (actually they're pretty funny) this is a very nice, romantic film. A perfect date movie. It's got a very laid-back feeling that is absolutely charming. This is helped with a very soothing music score. But be warned--this movie is only for true romantics! If you look at it in a serious frame of mind you're gonna hate it. But if you're a romantic (like me) you'll love it! Davis gives a very nice low-key performance (but she could have lightened up a little); Gelfant is good also--and has beautiful eyes. Also well-directed by Brad Anderson. Not believable for a moment but boy--is it romantic! I recommend it. I give it an 8.