Wonderful World

R

Released Jan 8, 2010

1h 35m

Drama

Romance

List

42%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

33%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

With his career as a children's musician essentially dead in the water, Ben Singer (Matthew Broderick) takes a job proofreading for a law firm to pay the rent for an apartment he shares with chess enthusiast and Senegalese immigrant Ibu (Michael K. Williams). When Ibu slips into a diabetic coma, his sister, Khadi (Sanaa Lathan), moves in to care for him, though it's Ben who sees the biggest benefit from Khadi's generosity and kindness as she teaches him how to be a better person.

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Critics Consensus

Matthew Broderick gives an appealing performance and director Joshua Goldin's script contains unexpected bursts of honest emotion, but Wonderful World's good intentions can't make up for its lack of originality.

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Dan Kois

Washington Post

If ... Wonderful World seem(s) a little tired, the film still has its own low-key pleasures, thanks to Broderick's restrained performance and a script that punctuates the inescapable saccharine of its storyline with tart little bursts of anger.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 29, 2010

Full Review

A.O. Scott

At the Movies

While this movie is earnest and well-intentioned, it doesn't quite work.

Jan 19, 2010

Full Review

Michael Phillips

At the Movies

Not quite good enough.

Jan 19, 2010

Full Review

Jessica Baxter

Film Threat

Many of Ben's complaints are totally valid.

Aug 9, 2017

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

There's ultimately little doubt that the movie is far more successful as a showcase for Broderick's stirring work than as a fully realized drama...

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 22, 2010

Full Review

Tricia Olszewski

Washington City Paper

Matches every clich with a bit of melodrama.

Jan 29, 2010

Full Review

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Audience Member

great movie about a Wonderful Worldgreat movie about a Wonderful World

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/18

Full Review

Audience Member

I was disappointed by this movie. I thought it would be so much more interesting, with a sturdy plot and fully developed characters, but it really was not. Instead it was so-so acting, bad accents, and an unbelievable love story. I could never see the characters played by Broderick and Lathan falling in love or even having sex. How they moved from strangers to lovers made absolutely no sense. There was no sign of a "spark" or lust. It was just random. This film could have been much better. I don't think I will watch it again.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I suppose it's nice to watch on Netflix but I wouldn't buy this

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I don't really mind the lack of originality, I still find this movie smart and spiritually uplifting.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A bit odd but the intentions are there. I found this to work for me.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I forget Matthew Broderick can sing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Joshua Goldin

Director

Matthew Broderick

Ben Singer

Sanaa Lathan

Khadi

Michael Kenneth Williams

Ibu

Jodelle Ferland

Sandra

Philip Baker Hall

The Man

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Synopsis

With his career as a children's musician essentially dead in the water, Ben Singer (Matthew Broderick) takes a job proofreading for a law firm to pay the rent for an apartment he shares with chess enthusiast and Senegalese immigrant Ibu (Michael K. Williams). When Ibu slips into a diabetic coma, his sister, Khadi (Sanaa Lathan), moves in to care for him, though it's Ben who sees the biggest benefit from Khadi's generosity and kindness as she teaches him how to be a better person.

Director: Joshua Goldin
Producer: Miranda Bailey, Matthew Leutwyler, Glenn Williamson
Screenwriter: Joshua Goldin
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Ambush Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Some Drug Use|Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 8, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 31, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.6K
Runtime: 1h 35m

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