Wonderful World 2009

Michael Phillips, At the Movies: Not quite good enough. Read more

Keith Uhlich, Time Out: Credit Broderick and the cast for putting across the fey Indiewood bullcrap with committed, nearly convincing effort. Read more

David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture: The movie is unfailingly likable and finally impressive. Goldin doesn't settle for easy answers, and he makes you think that no one should. Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: The movie itself is a little too tidy, a little too determined to convey a lesson, but the character sticks with you. Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: A paint-by-numbers tale of redemption for a man whose wounds are mostly self-inflicted. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: It's all very sincere, but watching a dweebish depressive learn that Life Is Good is a lesson of diminishing returns. Read more

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: The story never fully blends the idea of Singer's rediscovery of his artistic voice -- and even something as simple as why he was a children's performer in the first place is never addressed -- with his personal renewal. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: [Lathan] finally has a showcase, yet doesn't have a full character to play. Read more

Kyle Smith, New York Post: Read more

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Despite a film festival pedigree (it was shown at a number of local festivals on the 2009 circuit), the movie is so lightweight and inconsequential that a review seems almost superfluous. Read more

Melissa Anderson, Village Voice: More impoverished than the budget is Wonderful World's script, a shopworn tale of redemption in which the constantly outraged, pot-puffing misanthrope learns that "magic is everywhere." Read more

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. Read more