Product Details

• Actors: Hope Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Callie Thorne, Ken Cheeseman, Pamela Hart (II)
• Format: PAL
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001NIYGS
• For more information about "Next Stop Wonderland" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A lovely, lilting soundtrack of samba and bossa nova melodies gently guides this charming movie about Erin (Hope Davis), a young nurse adrift in her life. When her boyfriend, a hyperactive political activist played by the amazing Philip Seymour Hoffman (Boogie Nights, Happiness), leaves her, Erin struggles to find serenity on her own. Meanwhile, her mother schemes to find her a new boyfriend by placing a personal ad for Erin without her knowledge. Next Stop Wonderland juxtaposes this with the story of Alan (Alan Gelfant), a plumber struggling to get a degree as a marine biologist. The movie weaves all sorts of hints about fate and destiny, so it's no surprise at the end when Erin and Alan meet--but the fun is in getting there. In addition to the well-drawn characters and sharp, clever writing (the sequence of personal-ad dates that Erin goes on is both funny and painful), the movie is full of visual grace notes. For example, while at a bar, Alan spills a drink on a newspaper; the wet newsprint becomes translucent and reveals a photo of Erin that was taken at an aquarium fundraiser and printed in the society page. But before Alan even sees it, his friends scoop up the wet paper and throw it away. These moments have a casual, tossed-off air that evokes a lightly mystical sense of how our lives float on a thousand invisible coincidences. More than anything else, the movie spotlights Hope Davis's intelligence and quiet soulfulness. This wonderful actress has been appearing in small roles in Hollywood features (Arlington Road, Mumford) that don't do her justice; Next Stop Wonderland lets her glow. --Bret Fetzer

From The New Yorker

This smart-talking comedy, set in Boston, concerns Erin (Hope Davis) and Alan (Alan Gelfant), two independent souls who are out of synch in their respective occupations: she's a nurse who should be a doctor; he's a plumber who should be a marine biologist. They're obviously made for each other, but writer-director-editor Brad Anderson playfully refuses to allow them to meet cute. Unlike the heavy-handed "Good Will Hunting," this gifted-Boston-misfit romance floats, adroitly mixing thoughtfulness, farce, and surprise. -Ken Marks
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope Davis: Queen of Wonderland, May 31, 2000

By 

"oscar_freak" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Next Stop Wonderland [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Do we really need another soppy romantic comedy about thirtysomethings in the big city? Watching NEXT STOP WONDERLAND, the answer is "Yes." As I prepared to be depressed beyond reason by two wonderful people ending up alone (and pleasantly disappointed), I ended up laughing unexpectedly at the humor cropping up in odd places. Alan Gelfant is charming and sympathetic in his hilarious aquarium-heist subplot. Philip Seymour Hoffman (as in every movie he's done) takes a character that could have been a bland stereotype and puts his own indelible stamp on it. H. Jon Benjamin (the slacker, layabout son Ben from the "Dr. Katz" show) is hilarious as one of Erin's loutish blind dates. Holland Taylor brings the frigid high-class sexiness of Judge Roberta Kittleson from "The Practice" and "Ally McBeal" to her role as Erin's mother. Roger Rees is hilarious and sleazy as the biology teacher. It's also refreshing that the movie takes place in Boston and not in New York (memories of YOU'VE GOT MAIL). The main attraction, of course, is Davis, who incarnates Erin better than most actresses could have dreamed of doing. Even though it's not in theatres anymore, this is an outstanding date movie (practically as good as FLIRTING).

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, wonderful wonderland, October 26, 2000

By 

Renaaah "Renaaah" (Bronxville, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Next Stop Wonderland [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie is an unexpected gem. I have just finished watching it for the 6th time, and I am still in awe of its subtle humour and the empathy with which it depicts all its characters.

The only thing I don't like about this video is its misleading cover. Hope Davis perches coyly atop a subway train, slit skirt revealing plenty of thigh and low-cut top framing lotsa cleavage. A strappy sandal dangles from one foot. But in fact, one of the myriad beauties of this film is that Erin (deftly played by Davis) is not a frisky, flirtatious kind of gal, and never appears in any outfit more revealing than a nubby turtleck and jeans. Erin is a sensitive soul who has been in pain ever since the death of her beloved father, and she masks her true nature with a prickly veneer. She wants to fall in love but fights it every step of the way.

The cover of the video implies yet another dumb, cutesie comedy with another giggly, adorable heroine (you know... the "You've got Mail" variety) But the movie inside is rich, delicate and highly intelligent. Don't let the packaging fool you.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding in its field, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Next Stop Wonderland [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie truly left its mark on me. It shows the tedium and courage it takes to sort through the frogs to get to the prince, and how important it is to be at peace with yourself in order to be able to be with someone else. Hope Davis and Alan Gelfant do such a wonderful job at showing how being alone does not necessarily mean being lonely. Roger Rees plays a small role but shines, as always. When you are feeling lonely and hopeless about love, this movie will renew your faith.