Wonder Boys Synopsis & Summary

Synopsis

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. - Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Movie Info

Starring:
Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand, Robert Downey, Jr., Katie Holmes
Theatrical Release Date:
11/08/2000
DVD Release Date:
03/13/2001
Rating:
R
MPAA Reasons:
for language and drug content.
Run Time:
112 min.
Distributor(s):
Paramount
Director(s):
Curtis Hanson
Genre(s):
Drama, Comedy
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
Status:
DVD

Netflix FREE Trial

Rent as many movies as you want!