March 19, 2000 -- "Wonder Boys" is an agreeable little film about a frumpy old professor (you know the type), who seems to live in suspended animation back in the 1960s.

The frumpy old professor, Grady Tripp, is played by Michael Douglas, who does a wonderful job of playing against his usual macho, threatening type. Tripp (no relation to Linda), once wrote a towering best selling book, and won the PEN Faulkner Award. Now, he's trying to write a follow up book, and it just isn't happening.

Meanwhile, he's gotten himself involved with a married woman, Sara Gaskell (played by Frances McDormand of "Fargo"), who happens to be the chancellor of the college at which he is an English professor. Gaskell provides him with an ultimatum of sorts the same day he and his prized student, James Leer (Tobey Maguire of "Pleasantville" and "The Cider House Rules") gets into trouble by doing a couple of misdeeds at the Chancellor's house during a party. His publisher, Terry Crabtree (Robert Downey Jr "Bowfinger") shows up at the same party to pressure Tripp about his book. Crabtree also shows up with a towering transvestite named Miss Sloviak, or Tony (played by Michael Cavaias), depending on the mood he or she is in. Oh yeah, and Tripp's wife left him the same day. Hannah Green, a tenant and student of Tripp's (Katie Holmes of "Go") has the hots for Tripp. There's also a strange man claiming that Tripp stole his car. The fact that Tripp drinks, smokes pot and takes other drugs for his dog bite doesn't help resolve the situation.

Throughout all of this, Tripp limps, faints and staggers his way along, without any idea of what to do. He is a man with no compass. Leer seems to be just about as lost as Tripp is, but it turns out he isn't as dopey as he looks. He's just unconventional. Like Tripp, he would rather write than sleep. The story takes a lot of unusual twists and turns. It seems as disorganized as its main characters are. Despite this, it was pleasant enough to follow the story as it staggered this way and that. All the characters in the film are agreeable people and some are even interesting.

There really isn't any protagonist or antagonist, just a lot of bumblers who seem to be trying to do the right thing. They just don't know how. The heartaches that Tripp suffers, and those he has caused his wives, comes from his lack of direction. At least, that seems to be what the film is trying to say, sometimes. The story doesn't seem to dwell on the fact that generally, you have to pay a price for the mistakes you make in life, for the dogs you shoot and for the things you steal from other people. There are quite a few funny scenes along the way as Tripp and Leer wander along. The funny scenes sort of make you forget that the film is saying there really aren't any consequences for anything you do, as long as you are charming and talented, like a movie star, for instance. This film rates a C+.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.