Marc Israel So we have two single thirty somethings not in search of their soul mate. They have each found contentment in their loneliness. One is surrounded among friendly co-workers intent on discussing their on-going efforts to couple, an overbearing mother and a comedic slew of male suitors who all sadly paint the world of Nurse Erin Castleton (Hope Davis). On the other side is Alan "I don't want to be a plumber for the rest of my life" Monteiro (Alan Gelfant), who despite his studies, seems doomed to just that. Their worlds start to mingle and you can see where this is going, it's a rom-com at face value. But what gives it more than passing interest is that writer/director Brad Anderson says that while it's fun to see what gets people together, what's really interesting is what keeps people together. The only fault is that there is no answer even hinted at. Maybe that's the point. While not as heavy handed oil conclusion as in When Harry Met sally, Next Stop Wonderland is a bit contagious, telling and aloof all at the same time, which is quite charming...The talk and music focuses on "saudade" (nostalgia for something gone and contentment in desiring something that may not return) found as a constant theme in Bossa Nova music predominant throughout. Combining cold Boston weather with warm Brazilian music is brilliant for the intriguing "trip from saudade" for these two. Worth withstanding the predictable rom-com format.

ltlacey I wish that I could actually rate this movie because I was able to watch the entire thing, but I was getting so "seasick" from the way too much jittery, and stop-action, camera work that I finally had to turn it off. Which is too bad, as Hope Davis is a pleasure to watch and a fairly decent actress (not too many of those around), and Holland Taylor is a hoot, as always (well, in a lot of the movies I have seen her in lately...one of those actresses that really came into her own once she got past 45). And the story looked promising, I mean I was interested in what was going on and why. Why must audiences be subjected to this nonsense? It makes sense in some movies (Blair Witch Project, Quarantine, Cloverfield), but not in movies like this. And more and more of them are being filmed like this (Lilya 4-Ever comes to mind), ruining the entire movie-watching experience. Audiences should not have to take Dramamine in order to watch a movie. But if you have a strong stomach, or do not mind this type of camera work, I'd say check this movie out. What little I saw was okay.

fwomp Hope Davis has become what I like to call a hidden success. Her movies don't make a gazillion dollars at the box office and you'd probably hardly notice her if she passed you on the street. But what she does — and does well — is create lovable and memorable characters on celluloid. Most recently she was paired with Greg Kinnear in THE MATADOR, a role in which her underused talents still shone brightly with every scene she appeared.I decided to watch NEXT STOP WONDERLAND for the sole purpose of checking to see how well Mrs. Davis stood as an actress in a starring role. I wasn't disappointed.The story is that of a nurse named Erin (Davis) who comes home one day to find her boyfriend, Sean (Philip Seymour Hoffman, CAPOTE) moving out. Angry and spiteful, Erin quickly decides that being alone is okay. In fact, she firmly entrenches the philosophy of aloneness within herself ...until...Erin's domineering mother, Piper (Holland Taylor, THE TRUMAN SHOW), discovers her daughter's recent break-up and places a personals ad in the newspaper for her. Initially upset by this, Erin eventually decides to take on the task of dismissing all of the loathsome men who try to court her. The comedy here is striking and philosophical as the men do whatever they can to get into her pants only to be rebuffed by Erin's formidable intellect.On the other side of Boston (where this story takes place) we find Alan Monteiro (Alan Gelfant, TURN OF FAITH), a plumber turned marine biologist who volunteers at the local aquarium. He's struggling with debt, school (still working on his biology degree), and an aggressive younger classman who's infatuated with him. Strangely enough, too, is the fact that his brother is one of the guy's trying to bed Erin via the personals ad.As Erin and Alan mingle within their own circles, they come close to orbiting one another but never quite make contact. Brief glances, telephone calls that pass them by, invitations to the same restaurant parties, the two seemed destined to fall into one another's arms ...yet these encounters slip past. It's wonderfully frustrating to watch, and these "almost encounters" are never forced.But in the end, director Brad Anderson doesn't let us down. Serendipity intervenes and the two strangers end up hugging one another on a transit train after a strange set of circumstances pulls them together.Romantic comedies are okay if done right. You know the type that kind of make you feel, eh, just okay; You've Got Mail, Pretty Woman, Sleepless In Seattle. But this flick gives you more for less. Made as an independent film on a $1 million budget, Hope Davis' excellent acting and the perfect script make for some thought-provoking and downright funny moments. While those other RomComs I mentioned have a basic "feel-good" to them, NEXT STOP WONDERLAND has much more. The philosophy, romance, and comedy all build to a very satisfying conclusion and one that will invite discussions about the probabilities of fate versus happenstance.

helpless_dancer Spiffy little romance/comedy which didn't follow in the footsteps of most in this genre. Perfectly paced with nice doses of nifty dialogue, a plethora of all sorts of characters, and a pair of leading players who came off as real people with the same needs as all of us. The leading lady was torn between her need for a mate and her distaste for all the hubbub that such a search entails. The leading man didn't appear to need a mate as much as he needed to shuck his routine job in favor of the more interesting marine biologist. This, at times, paled in comparison to his money problems and having to deal with a shady character and his muscle bound crony lurking menacingly just behind. Good film, and you'll love that aquarium.