Wonderful World Review
By David Kempler
A Wonderful Time
Ever since he debuted in "Max Dugan Returns", Matthew Broderick has been compiling an impressive Broadway and big-screen resume. Even though it has been nearly 30 years since his first film, Broderick maintains his Dorian Gray youthful appearance. Because of this he can still effectively play the youthful outsider, as he does in newcomer Josh Goldin's "Wonderful World", even if he is no longer the teenager with the sweet smile.
Ben Singer (Broderick) works as a lowly proofreader in a job that is meant as a transitional position for people climbing the entertainment corporate ladder. His younger co-workers regard him as a curiosity because of his "advanced" age and because he stays very much to himself, shunning their social get-togethers. When Ben loses his job his life totally unravels.
Ben shares an apartment with Ibou (Michael Kenneth Williams), his Senegalese roommate. Ibou lives a simple existence and he is very much at peace with his lot in life. The two of them spend the bulk of their time playing chess and sharing opinions (and joints). Ben rails against the way society is structured and has pretty much given up on making it to any level of happiness. He only sees the darkness but he is more resigned than bitter. Society takes a human form as "The Man" (Philip Baker Hall), a figure that only Ben can see. They chat frequently, and while it is an okay diversion, it is nothing more than that.
"Wonderful World" only takes flight when Ibou's sister, Khadi (Sanaa Lathan) comes for a visit from Senegal. She injects a wholly different feel to everything, lighting up the screen with her personality and beauty. Ben's daughter Sandra (Jodelle Ferland), who lives with her mother, shares her father's negative views on life. Both father and daughter need a boost and Khadi is quite the booster shot.
Though "Wonderful World" takes a little while to form, when it does it becomes a sweet trek towards a world truly filled with wonder, without being preachy and overbearing. Credit goes to the entire cast for pulling it off and to Goldin for making it come together. It's a wonderful film.
