The most accurate movie about campus life that I can remember.
100
Film.comJohn Hartl
Film.comJohn Hartl
A giddy delight, with Michael Douglas delivering what may be the most relaxed and inventive performance of his career, and Tobey Maguire and Robert Downey Jr. trailing not far behind.
83
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
A terrific movie about middle-age malaise and a comedy of unusual wit and drollness.
80
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
The casting of Michael Douglas against type as an over-the-hill novelist and writing professor is the sort of clever move that wins undeserved Oscars.
75
USA TodayStaff [Not Credited]
USA TodayStaff [Not Credited]
Droll mild amusement.
75
TNT RoughCut
TNT RoughCut
See Wonder Boys for the acting, particularly McDormand and Maguire, but use the goofy moments to get popcorn refills.
70
L.A. WeeklyManohla Dargis
L.A. WeeklyManohla Dargis
It's striking on several counts.
70
SlateDavid Edelstein
SlateDavid Edelstein
Quite pleasant.
58
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Sweet, flaky, and more than a little aimless.
50
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
The sentimentality overtakes Wonder Boys when, in the last half hour, it tries to make nice with its characters and fashion a deep message from a trivial story.