See Wonder Boys for the acting, particularly McDormand and Maguire, but use the goofy moments to get popcorn refills.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
Quite pleasant.
A giddy delight, with Michael Douglas delivering what may be the most relaxed and inventive performance of his career, and Tobey Maguire and Robert Downey Jr. trailing not far behind.
Chicago Reader by Jonathan Rosenbaum
The casting of Michael Douglas against type as an over-the-hill novelist and writing professor is the sort of clever move that wins undeserved Oscars.
It's striking on several counts.
San Francisco Chronicle by Mick LaSalle
The sentimentality overtakes Wonder Boys when, in the last half hour, it tries to make nice with its characters and fashion a deep message from a trivial story.
Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman
Sweet, flaky, and more than a little aimless.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer by Paula Nechak
A terrific movie about middle-age malaise and a comedy of unusual wit and drollness.
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
The most accurate movie about campus life that I can remember.
USA Today by Staff [Not Credited]
Droll mild amusement.