Wonder Wheel

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William J If there’s a movie where Jim Belushi stands out for his acting, you know something is wrong. Wonderwheel succeeds only in its cinematography and capture of early ‘50s Coney Island. Woody Allen’s script reads like a cheap novel and most of the acting follows suit. Kate Winslet does her best as the unfaithful wife on her second go-round at marriage and infidelity. Justin Timberlake is the young object of her affection as well as that of her step-daughter. Timberlake, both as actor and narrator, comes off like he’s reading a teleprompter….and not well. Juno Temple manages to brighten an otherwise depressing ensemble as Belushi’s daughter who is hiding from her mob ex-husband. If all this sounds confusing, add in Belushi and Winslet’s young son whose hobby is burning things (up to and including his therapist’s office). Cap it off with an unsatisfying conclusion and you’ll likely wish you had your 2 hours back. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/06/25 Full Review Peter G I have not the desire to see every single Woody Allen film & this relatively late effort is one reason. I rented it because I always enjoy a Kate Winslet performance & though she has some decent moments here her character is so off putting, IMO, that I could not view her situation with much sympathy & it all fizzles out by the end anyway. The other characters I was hoping that two of THE SOPRANO fellas might have figured more in the proceedings. Their presence here is supposedly threatening but they are played, as two somewhat comically bumbling mafioso on a a lethal mission that only adds some more lame humor to the story. The other characters do not fare much better. Postulating a beaf cake part time lifeguard, played by Justin Timberlake, as an ambitious student of Eugene O‘Neil‘s dramas is perhaps a satirical touch but even that wears thin pretty quickly. However seeing Jim Belushi, playing Winslet‘s sad sack husband, made me think of a softer version of Ralph Kramden. The way he appears now if there were ever a film bio made of Jackie Gleason, Belushi would be ideal casting. Some of the cinematography is wonderful but a continuity error, I presume, occurs during one of Winslet‘s monologues where the film‘s lighting effects moves faster than her discourse. In other words 30 minutes of sinking sun takes place within the much shorter space of Winslet‘s, otherwise, effective dramatic moment. All in all, I suspect Allen was investigating another more serious approach, with some lackluster comedy, to his usual filmmaking. He has had far more success in other similar styles of movies such as MATCHPOINT & CRIMES & MISDEMEANORS, IMO Reviewed by Peter Graham Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 07/28/24 Full Review June H Awful! Great actors giving horrible performances. There isn't one likable character in this movie! Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/29/24 Full Review Celeste L in the late days of coney island, this 1950s family tale of family relationships, dreams gone awry and coming back in midlife is stunningly acted with kate winslet and john belushi and a young juno temple as a prodigal daughter. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/10/24 Full Review Alec B Allen is revisiting a lot of his familiar obsessions here (Tennessee Williams-esque female characters, exploring the NY of his childhood, etc.) But his nostalgia is ultimately for this type of theatrical narrative, not necessarily for the era the movie is set. Also just letting his cinematographer do their work in peace yields some gorgeous shots here. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/24 Full Review Piper W This could have been a real gem of a film. Sadly, even though the cast was stellar, they couldn't make one single character likable. Frankly, I didn't give a damn what happened to any of them. The cinematography was the star and the reason I didn't give it 2 stars. Worth a watch? Sure, as long as you enjoy the pictures, the settings and nostalgia but with a bunch of unlikable human beings. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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