Search - The Great New Wonderful on DVD

Brad S. (Snibot) from DALLAS, TX
Reviewed on 1/26/2010...

Even in the worst of movies there is something nice to say, and this is one of the worst movies ever.

Two of the stories are semi interesting, Tony Shalhoub is a psychiatrist that has pretty much lost his marbles, Maggie Gyllenhaal is a cake decorator ... neither story make much sense but they do have some funny lines.

The other two stories are ... pointless and bad.

At the end of the movie I found myself laughing ... not because the movie was particularly funny, but because I was dumb enough to sit through the entire thing.

The funniest part of this movie, is that someone somewhere thought it would be a good idea, and dumped enough money into the project to get some good talent; which would trick a few suckers (myself included) to pick up this movie. I wouldn't say I hate this movie, but it is never going to be watched by me again.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Fonda H.
Reviewed on 12/29/2007...

Worst movie I've seen in a while.....no story connection between the independent story lines....I saw no point in the whole thing.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

"Shock can be a tricky thing!"

M. J Leonard | Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although it takes a bit long to get off the ground, and it never really explains what it is really about, The Great New Wonderful is a sometimes quirky, always bittersweet exercise in how New Yorkers are soldiering on after September 11th. The portrait is one of melancholy as this disparate and eclectic group of people from all walks of life goes through their paces, consistently jumpy, often frightened and always sad.

For five sets of New Yorkers life in September 2002 is still just as much of a struggle as it was after that terrible day on 2001. Two youthful and nice parents Allison (Judy Geer) and David Burbage (Tom McCarthy) are at the end of their tether emotionally. As their sex life gradually diminishes, they spend their days worrying about their ten-year-old hyperactive son Charlie (Billy Donner) who is disobedient at home and violent to his classmates at school.

Sandie (Jim Gaffigan) is a mild-mannered but tightly wound survivor of 9/11 - apparently he worked on the seventh floor of the World Trade Center. Things would be fine except for the goading of a dotty therapist (Tony Shalhoub) his employers have forced him to consult. Emme (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is an astute and ruthless young cake decorator who owns The Great New Wonderful, a pastry company that has lost out to the Queen of Cake, Safarah (Edie Falco).

Judy Berman (Olympia Dukakis) is a working class senior who is forced to put up with her mechanical husband who does nothing but watch television all day and after dinner retire to the terrace for a smoke. They do not talk and the only thing that keeps Judy going is the artwork she does in their small kitchen. One day, a childhood friend bumps into her, and they reconnect, their friendship perhaps a harbinger of hope.

Best friends Avi (Naseerudin Shah) and Satish (Sharat Saxena) are working class immigrants, who work as security guards and minders for diplomats, particularly for an Indian general who is currently visiting New York City. But their friendship is threatened when Satish is inappropriately rough with a Japanese tourist. Then Avi confesses that he had sex with a young woman and now feels guilty about it.

As these people go about their lives, some of them occasionally cross paths, most particularly in an elevator that stalls between floors, and when a plane flies low overhead, they become wary and frightened. The characters in this drama written by Sam Catlin are very fragile and vulnerable people who often react in anger and violence and who are still trying to live with the consequences of grief.

All are faced with difficult choices and decisions and when things do not go the way they want, they either react with violence or frustration. For the most part, they seem to be avoiding the trauma of 9/11. Not all the little stories and vignettes work - some are even a bit boring in places - but most of the performances, especially a haughty luncheon under a veil of politeness with Gyllenhaal and Falco, are spot on, involving and very revealing. Mike Leonard September 06.
"

Not the greatest movie

Sharon E. Elzer | Belton, TX USA | 07/01/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"To be honest, this could have been a good movie but sadly wasn't. Very slow moving and not funny what so ever.... I also think the 9/11 tie in was to just draw a bigger audience...... Don't buy it. Rent if it is the last thing available (even after checking out the cartoon section at the video store)."

Skip this one

Ernest P. Howell | Morro Bay, CA United States | 06/27/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"The cover of the movie said "A brilliant comedy" and I didn't see any brilliance nor any comedy. Half way through I asked my wife if she knew what this movie was about; she didn't know either. It's the next day and I still don't know. As a very open minded person I usually really enjoy the odd movies. This one puzzlles me how it ever got off the ground. If you have a few hours to waste, watch it."