Alex in Wonderland (1970)

Bohemian Alex Morrison has just finished directing his first feature length movie. In its previews, the movie is considered a critical, artistic and surefire commercial success. As such, ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Mazursky

Writers:

Paul Mazursky, Larry Tucker

Stars:

Donald Sutherland, Ellen Burstyn, Meg Mazursky

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Sutherland	...	Alex Morrison
Ellen Burstyn	...	Beth Morrison
Meg Mazursky	...	Amy
Glenna Sargent	...	Nancy
Viola Spolin	...	Mother
Andre Philippe	...	Andre
Michael Lerner	...	Leo
Joan Delaney	...	Jane
Neil Nephew	...	Norman (as Neil Burstyn)
Leon Frederick	...	Lewis
Carol O'Leary	...	Marlene
Tox Drohar	...	Tox
Sophia Krischer	...	Sophia
Gene Krischer	...	Gene
Paul Mazursky	...	Hal Stern

Storyline

Bohemian Alex Morrison has just finished directing his first feature length movie. In its previews, the movie is considered a critical, artistic and surefire commercial success. As such, Alex seemingly has his choice of what his next project will be. Alex has a few thoughts in his mind, such as a biopic of Lenny Bruce, or a movie about a black uprising in Los Angeles. As he makes the rounds both in the Hollywood community and European movie centers for ideas, he fantasizes about movie scenarios of those everyday situations he is in. These fantasies are influenced by his movie idols, some who he meets such as Italian director Federico Fellini and French actress Jeanne Moreau. Concurrently, he is considering what to do about his personal life. He, his wife Beth and their two daughters live a middle class lifestyle. He is wondering whether it makes sense to "move up", which means that movie making not only has to achieve his main purpose of saying something meaningful, but also has to be...

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Plot Keywords:

director | male nudity | hollywood california | dream | male frontal nudity | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1971 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Alex Csodaországban

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Coriander

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

References La Notte (1961)

User Reviews

American director Paul Mazursky allows Donald Sutherland to meet great Fellini and Jeanne Moreau for his film about his enigmatic alter-ego.

"Alex in Wonderland" is an absolutely different kind of film.It is one of those American films which talks about film making albeit in a very superficial manner.This is one of the few weak spots in the film as its narrative shifts quickly from one philosophical or ideological stance to another.This film can also be termed as Alex's adventures in wonderland as its eponymous protagonist film director Alex tries really hard to strike a fine balance between his professional and personal lives.Director Paul Mazursky is able to make his film appear a serious experience for a débutant film director by ensuring that there is absolutely no coherent link between two phases of a director's lives : personal life and professional life.Although Alex's journey in wonderland begins with a truly shocking scene which might be construed as somewhat scandalous by certain prudes,overall story gathers momentum once more pertinent characters are introduced.Paul Mazursky also plays a brief yet important role in this film to make us aware of the fact that not all filmmakers live in wonderland.His film suggests that most film directors live in ordinary surroundings where they try to deal with their strengths and weaknesses in equal measure in order to invigorate their artistic lives.It does not matter if not all viewers would be able to associate themselves with "Alex in Wonderland" and its hidden motives.One thing which can be said is that some serious fans will not be disappointed as they get to see great master of cinema Italian cinema maverick Fellini and French cinema diva Jeanne Moreau.