Skip to main content
Wonder Boys Movie Poster
Plot, Details & Awards

Wonder Boys

Rated R for language and drug content.

R In Theaters 11/8/2000 , 112min.
Share this movie on

Plot & Details

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
  • 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

Awards

Academy Awards

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2000 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Song Bob Dylan Won
2000 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Editing Dede Allen Nominated
2000 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Adapted Screenplay Steve Kloves Nominated

British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2000 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Actor Michael Douglas Nominated
2000 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Adapted Screenplay Steve Kloves Nominated

Golden Globes

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2000 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Screenplay Steve Kloves Nominated
2000 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Michael Douglas Nominated
2000 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Picture - Drama Nominated
2000 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Original Song Bob Dylan Won
Netflix - Try for Free

Instantly watch TV episodes and movies via the Internet on your computer or TV. 1 month FREE!

Stay Connected with Moviefone