A few months ago, I wrote a rather glowing review for what I'd hoped was Robin Williams' career revival, World's Greatest Dad. Now, a film exists that could be the equivalent for Matthew Broderick. It's been a long time since Broderick has seen any serious film success. His conversion of the hit Broadway show The Producers to the screen (though it wasn't the first time), with Nathan Lane, Uma Thurman, and Will Ferrell as co-stars, didn't do nearly as well as its theater run would have predicted, which was a shame as the show marked a new highlight in Broderick's career after a disappointing lead-in of films. But now, the man we love as the carefree, risk-it-all Ferris Bueller, takes on the exact opposite demeanor in what just might be his most memorable film since he took a day off. Wonderful World is the tale of an eternal pessimist learning to find some glimpse of hope in a world he feels has beaten him into submission.
Ben Singer (Broderick) used to have a blossoming career as a children's folk song performer. He traveled around the country giving concerts, he recorded albums, and seemed to have it made. His success dried up though when his label failed to promote his experimental album aimed at an adult audience, causing him to lose faith in the auto-industry, a loss only complemented by his wife leaving him for a less depressing husband. Since then, Singer has been working as a proofreader in a dead-end job with co-workers he rarely ever acknowledges unless he's shooting down their dreams of someday working as writers in the entertainment business. His daughter is depressed by her weekends with him, and the only joy he seems to find anymore comes from the occasional pipe of weed coupled with a chess game and philosophical discussions with his roommate Ibou (Michael Kenneth Williams). That remaining ember of hope goes out, however, when Ibou goes into a diabetic coma, ushering in a visit from his sister Khadi (Sanaa Lathan), which is just the remedy Ben's life needed.
Moved by Khadi's love for Ibou, Ben begins to open up and a romance begins to blossom. The next few weeks are the best of his life. His disposition improves, as does his relation with his daughter and the only co-worker who seems willing to warm the cold shoulder Ben has shown him. Just as Ben begins to assimilate back into the world of happy people, his defense mechanisms snap back into place, providing him with the final kick in the pants to help him learn just how badly he needs the change Khadi introduced into his life.
The main trio of Broderick, Lathan, and Williams make Wonderful World shine. Matthew Broderick hasn't had a part this good or heartfelt in a long time. His awakening from a pitiful shmo to a man who realizes he still has plenty to live for. Lathan's performance is full of life. Her presence makes the film work as the perfect catalyst for change in Singer's life. She's not too naïve, but she doesn't just spout trite anecdotes with all the solutions Ben needs. It's a genuinely mutual relationship. Michael Kenneth Williams' turn as the game theory-talking roommate starts the film on the right path, and Broderick and Lathan handily take the baton and carry it to the end. It's a terrific trio only aided by the pop-in cameos of Philip Baker Hall and Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
Three fantastic featurettes fill out the disc, it would have been nice to have more, but what we get is fulfilling enough. The first gives a background on the inspiration for the characters and story of Wonderful World, while the other two are basic behind the scenes pieces featuring Broderick, Writer/Director Josh Goldin, and a montage of clips from the film's production.
If you've been waiting for Matthew Broderick to rejoin the world of great film, this is it.
"Wonderful World" is on sale March 16, 2010 and is rated R. Drama. Written and directed by Joshua Goldin. Starring Matthew Broderick, Michael K Williams, Philip Baker Hall, Sanaa Lathan.
