NEXT STOP WONDERLAND (1998): My first viewing of Next Stop Wonderland occurred about three years ago, when I was pretty green on the subject of film. My first viewing led me to call it my favorite romantic comedy, for it was something different than I was used to seeing. It sparked an interest in Hope Davis, who has since become one of my favorite actresses (If you don't know her work, seriously check her out, she's great). So I bought the film about a year ago and haven't watched it since. Until this week, that is. And so comes my reevaluation..THE GOOD: The thing I love most about Next Stop Wonderland is the fact that it's a romantic comedy that avoids most of the clichés the genre has been burdened with. The two main characters are far from unattractive, but it's no Kate Hudson/Matthew McConaughey duo. The film doesn't capitalize on anything shiny or cheesy. These are real people in real situations. The two main characters are people stuck in ruts, waiting on their lives to change. And it's very true to life. Here we have a nurse whose boyfriend has just left her. Her mother tries to interfere in her life and get her "back out there" as far as dating. She doesn't want to and is pretty dismal throughout the majority of the film. Meanwhile, we have a serious man who volunteers at an aquarium while trying to afford schooling to become a marine biologist.Hope Davis absolutely shines in her role as Erin, the single woman who is too proud to admit that she's lonely. Another standout is Phillip Seymour-Hoffman, pre-Capote, in a small role as Erin's politically aware ex-boyfriend.THE BAD: I try not to judge a film on it's predictability, but it's hard not to do so. As far as this is concerned, it's obvious what's going to happen from the third scene. Obviously the lonely woman and the hard working single guy are going to find each other and fall in love. I guess one could say that it's "watching them get there" that is important, which I kind of agree with, but it makes you really want to tune out and fast forward through all the meaninglessness and skip to the end.The ending is kind of a let down. Like I said, it's impossible to not see the outcome from the beginning, but the actual climax is pretty disappointing. You expect to see some kind of interaction and connection between the two future lovers, but there is none of that. There's one final scene with them together and it's truly not worth what they endured to get there.THE RESULT: I guess the good outweighs the bad here. It's a simple concept and it mostly succeeds with what it's trying to do. Far from groundbreaking, but it is delightful entertainment and a suitable alternative to typical romantic comedies. There are some truly amusing moments here, but nothing really laugh out loud. Worth seeing for some good performances, some originality.7/10, down from 8/10.

If Preston Sturges was alive today, this is the kind of film I imagine him making. It's that good! Next Stop Wonderland is witty and full of clever dialog. The story is hilarious, but captures more depth than the typical romantic comedy.There are surprises and twists, but I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone. It definitely makes you question destiny versus luck.The nice thing about the film is that it's not a chick flick either. It may be told from the point-of-view of the heroine, but she is not whiny, wimpy or trying to be cutesy in every scene.It kind of reminds me of Swingers, but told from a female's point of view. Hope Davis isn't desperate like the lead in that film though. She's quite content to be alone most of the time, but the world keeps thrusting her into comical situation that break her bubble of solitude.This film is a winner.

This movie really makes you think... It's one of those times when you are watching TV, and you just keep changing the channel, and then you see a scene that makes you watch a little bit longer, and then a little bit longer more, until you end up watching the entire movie. If you expect a overly romantic film, this is not for you, I believe this movie was made to observe life and it's mysterious ways to get you to fall in love, You make (what it seems) a silly choice and it affects you in everyway possible, but the best thing it's that you don't know it, and in the end everything is going to be all right. It also portrays very well that life doesn't start when you fall in love, but it gets better.

I was surprised by my own reaction to this movie. I felt the loneliness and anxiety that the characters demonstrate. The movie really catch me and became one of my favorites. The wait for the meeting between a nurse and a plumber gave us several moments of pure joy by the intelligence in those takes. As a Brazilian person I have to say that the soundtrack is delicious. We have here some sweet pieces of Bossa nova that harmonically fit in to the story and give us unforgettable moments in the movie. And what about that friendly baloonfish? Its already a character apart. I certainly recommend this movie to the ones who demand a reflective story about human anxieties admirably conduced by sensitive and intelligent Brad Anderson. Thanks, Brad, for the experience.