Skip to main content

Plot

In this comedy, a middle-aged man juggles his problems with women, literature, and a career, while a younger man chases the artifact of his dreams. Pittsburgh college professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas) is currently single following his divorce from his third wife; after publishing an acclaimed first novel, Grady has been working on a follow-up, but he's been sidelined by a severe case of writer's block. Grady has more than his writing career to think about; his affair with one of the (married) chancellors at the University of Pittsburgh (Frances McDormand), has resulted in her pregnancy, while Hannah (Katie Holmes), a student boarding at Grady's house, has developed a crush on him. While Grady is obsessed with his book, one of his students (Tobey Maguire) has an obsession of his own: finding a jacket once owned by Marilyn Monroe. Based on the novel by Michael Chabon, The Wonder Boys also features Robert Downey Jr., Rip Torn, and Richard Thomas.
MPAA Rating:
R for language and drug content.
Genre(s):
Drama,Comedy
Run Time:
112min.
Theatrical Release Date:
11/08/2000
DVD Release Date:
03/13/2001
Distributor(s):
Paramount
Director(s):
Curtis Hanson
Starring:
Michael Douglas , Tobey Maguire , Frances McDormand , Robert Downey, Jr. , Katie Holmes
Themes:
Writer's Life,Creative Block,Mentors,Child Prodigies,Estrangement,Redemption,Midlife Crises,Teachers and Students
Tone:
Understated,Affectionate,Reflective,Wistful,Literate,Quirky,Talky,Wry
Keywords:
crush,distress,extramarital-affair,masterpiece,maturity,pregnancy,professor,responsibility,student,writing
Country of Origin:
USA (02-25-2000)
Language:
English