Wonderful World | Eastern North Carolina Now

    
A Callous Re-examination of One’s Existence Unlocks a Sense of Hope

    Nevertheless, it was a hard, bumpy ride down the winding, uncertain road of life for former Professional Musician Ben Singer, played by a maturing Mathew Broderick. The former Ferris Bueller has certainly grown some 23 years hence into a surly pessimist, a self-promoted outcast, who would rather live in a downcast world that one of imagination and beauty.

    Ben Singer works as a proofreader for the writers of a network television program, but hates his job. He finds it mundane and yet he continues for the payment to procure sustenance. The only two people that he allows in his life, for various reason, is his daughter, Sandra played by Jodelle Ferland, and Leon, played by Zacharias Foppe, his roommate from the western African country of Senegal. The reasons: he naturally loves his daughter and he loves to play chess: His roommate, Leon, accommodates him. Sadly, he cannot hide his chronic cynicism from his young impressionable daughter.

    His estranged wife, Eliza, played by Ally Walker, observes these ravages upon her impressionable spirit and wishes to spare her the transgression. At eight years old, his daughter already believes she will become a lesbian as she ages into womanhood. Eliza shelters Ben’s daughter from him and Ben just can‘t understand his estranged wife’s protectiveness, until tragedy and hope both befalls him in equal measure.



    From Ben’s dual experience with sadness and joy in such short order, he finds that he can embrace life, and come to grips with who he was and who he will become again. The catalyst: Khadi, his roommate Leon’s sister, played by Sanaa Lathan. She, like Leon, sees something that others, as well as himself, cannot see - that he is a “good man.”

    “Wonderful World” is a small film, with a story that struggles to find its way into one’s heart. It’s message will find its mark in the conscience of some folks, while its message will not pierce the armor of the ego in others. I found this little film competent, well acted and well worth my time at 93 minutes. This genre of film may be an acquired taste, but Director Joshua Golden, who also wrote its story and screenplay certainly meant well in his expressed purpose of telling his tale.

    One nice touch: Character actor Philip Baker Hall as The Man, the visual manifestation of Ben’s superego, visits Ben a significant points in his life and, like the subconscious of one’s overbearing superego, he sometimes speaks to Ben in pearls of rare wisdom, but mostly just offers up an ample serving of steaming junk. True to life? I guess it all depends of your interpretation.

    Released in theaters December 19, 2009. Rated R.

    This article is provided courtesy of our sister site: Better Angels Now.