Cinema Crazed

2005

Rated: R for graphic language, violence, and strong sexual content.

Genre: Drama Comedy

Directed By: Danny Leiner

Running Time: 1:27

Review by: Felix Vasquez Jr.

Review Date: 3/12/07

Special Features:
None.

THE GREAT NEW WONDERFUL

I’ve seen many films regarding 9/11, and many of them gladly have been great. From films like “The Guys,” to “September 12^th,” artists will basically be offering their view on 9/11 for years. Probably even decades. Regardless, I was taken aback by what “The Great New Wonderful” had to say about 9/11. In the first half, I was ready and willing to deem this as nothing more than a lightweight portrayal of the after effects of that horrible day, but in the end, there was a reason. The humor cushions what would otherwise be an awfully depressing yet wholly accurate portrait of tragedy. Within the humorous scenarios, and quirky characters, there’s an underlying state of sadness, a sadness that develops over the course of the film. Many characters roaming around New York, bumping into one another, and they all seem to just be coasting through life.

That is until writer Sam Catlin slowly peels the layers of psychoses, and we can’t help notice the clarity as the film winds down. “The Great New Wonderful” is a heartbreaking and awfully beautiful film about the aftermath of tragedy, not on the world, but on each individual victim. With a great cast of actors, the film is capped off with a rousing performance from Jim Gaffigan whose own character pretty much fits the extent of the man’s humor.

He plays a bittersweet sap named Sandie who is generally well-natured and goofy, until he begins therapy sessions with an odd counselor (Tony Shalhoub is funny as usual) who insists he’s a bomb waiting to go off after witnessing something horrible on 9/11 in his office. Instead of playing the entire film as more of an Altman stagger and crash ensemble, Catlin instead places these people in their own worlds. Each sub-plot has a specific tone that is both funny yet sad. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a caterer who psychologically defeats her rival for a new gig but receives a shocking revelation; while, in one of the more compelling sub-plots, Judy Greer plays a mother in a dying marriage thanks to the psychotic tendencies of her son.

She and her husband’s smothering of their child is fascinating and curves into a surprising twist involving underlying shades of utter prejudice. The tragic aspect of their plot is that it’s probably too late to help their son. On the surface, the film seems like it could be another New York slice of life, but, under all the facades, the rivalries, the cut throat of Emme, the smothering of the well meaning parents on their obese son, the good nature of Sandie, there’s a lot of horror and torment they can’t admit to, nor will probably be able to. Played with a sly smile, along with great performances and truly laugh out loud scenes, “The Great New Wonderful” is a different kind of film focusing on the horrors of 9/11, one that takes the story with a wink, rather than a frown.

With a wry smirk, "The Great New Wonderful" takes on the tragedy of 9/11 with fresh dialogue, wonderful sub-plots and great performances, while also tacking on an accurate depiction of the effects of trauma on all of us that can mount when we least expect it to.

Have something to say about this review? Pop on over to Cinema-Lunatics
and speak your mind in our Answer Back! Forums >>