Wonder Wheel

I'll be honest and admit that I wanted to see this film mainly because of Kate Winslet, whom I really like a lot. I'm definitely not a die-hard Woody Allen fan, although I've seen many of his films, but I still decided to go see Wonder Wheel in the cinema. I also have to admit that I didn't have high hopes for this film, so I couldn't be disappointed, only surprised. In the end, I was treated to a pretty average drama wrapped in a nice 50s retro vibe, with a likeable cast. On the other hand, though, it's all undermined by the script and especially the oddly written characters, with whom you has no chance to form anything but a negative relationship. As I said at the beginning, I really like Kate Winslet, but her Ginny was probably her most irritating character, but she plays really well, making her all the more annoying (hearing a hundred times over the course of the film that she had a migraine and needed Aspirin nearly gave me a migraine). Alongside that, I was expecting some action within the mafia line and the return of the lost daughter, but somehow it all fizzled out at the end. In short, a film that is most damaged by the way it is written, which starts and ends with particularly over-theatrical performances and direction by the actors, it was clearly the intention, but it wasn’t something I wanted as a viewer. (01/18/2018)

From the fifth minute on, I couldn't shake the feeling that this should have been a theater play. It places even greater emphasis on dialogue than usual, as well as slightly different acting moods. Justin Timberlake handles this combination best, as he can both play innocent and emphasize the dramatic aspect, while Kate Winslet is somewhat restrained until almost the very end. Jim Belushi is completely lost, and his clumsy shouting is occasionally shocking. However, this is still Woody Allen, where actors are mostly just a tool for the main concept, and this time it doesn't fall behind. The retro mood works perfectly despite the small space, and both amusingly intense and sadly sincere moments fulfill their role excellently. Maybe if it wasn't so obvious that it's just a one-act play, I would have left the cinema even more uplifted. (01/12/2018)

I almost want to say that this is a classic Woody Allen film, although this time I found his story really simple and it is saved by the performances, which are excellent in all cases, at least as far as the main roles are concerned. Kate probably stands out the most, but the film doesn't give her the space to really shine as an actress. (02/15/2018)

At first, I admittedly wasn't thrilled with the subject matter of this new Allen film - the 1950s at Coney Island? And with Kate Winslet? However, in the end I was satisfied, as I have been so many times when Allen has made a retro film. Wonder Wheel is narrated by a young Justin Timberlake (and he's surprisingly very good), his counterpart is an aging Jim Belushi (unsurprisingly great, since he's been one of those who’s been great for years), and in between are two women, the aforementioned Winslet as an aging actress out of work and Juno Temple as a blonde bimbo in trouble. Wonder Wheel can thus spin boldly with all those typical attributes. There are numerous references to pop culture, there is intensified love of cinema and theater, a lot of quotes from O'Neill's plays, and of course fate in the sense of ancient dramas. It's nothing new or surprising from Allen, but once again it's a very enjoyable experience. There is undeniable value in being reunited with interesting dialogue, meaningfully constructed twists and turns, and authentic production design that few productions around the world actually dabble with to such an extent. The atmosphere is magical and almost tangible, pleasantly cool in the rain and hot in the sultry summer. I really hope the scandal of 2018 doesn't spell Allen's untimely demise. His late films are more exceptional every year, which is especially evident when confronted with the many new superficial films of today. (05/15/2019)

Woody Allen again wrote it and filmed it himself, and I enjoyed it again. The well-arranged retro story with great actors (Kate Winslet and Jim Belushi are simply amazing) offers a familiar plot, but that doesn't mean that it can't surprise or that it lacks unforgettable moments (the phone call). The extra colorful retro camera initially goes well with the plot, but then it gradually begins to contrast sharply with it, which is a great idea, and I really liked the simple but impressive metaphor with a little pyromaniac who, like his mother, just can't help it. (01/06/2018)