Next Stop Wonderland (1998)

An unlucky in love nurse finds her life taking a detour when her mother places a personals ad in the paper, while on the other side of Boston, a plumber is trying to change careers.

Director:

Brad Anderson

Writers:

Brad Anderson, Lyn Vaus

Stars:

Hope Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Callie Thorne

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hope Davis	...	Erin Castleton
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Sean
Callie Thorne	...	Cricket
Ken Cheeseman	...	Rick
Pamela Hart	...	Berit
Diane Beckett	...	Seana
Jeremy Geidt	...	Bookseller
Alan Gelfant	...	Alan Monteiro
Dave Gilloran	...	Aquarium Volunteer
Luz Alexandra Ramos	...	Thalia (as Luz Alexandra)
Emma Shaw	...	Bailey
Kemp Harris	...	Ben
Neil Gustafson	...	Yuri Spinov
Holland Taylor	...	Piper Castleton
E. Katherine Kerr	...	Candice (as Katherine Kerr)

Storyline

Erin is a nurse and her longtime boyfriend has dumped her. Her mother Piper places a personal ad for her. Meanwhile the film follows the life of Alan, a volunteer at a local aquarium who dreams of becoming a marine biologist. Will their paths cross?

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Plot Keywords:

personal ad | nurse | plumber | marine biologist | love | 

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Taglines:

Being alone is fine. Being alone together is perfect.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Bac Films [fr] (French)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Last Train to Wonderland

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$123,055 (USA) (21 August 1998)

Gross:

$3,386,698 (USA) (13 November 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Robbins Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title refers to a stop on the MBTA (Boston's public transit system, a.k.a. "The T"). The stop is at the Wonderland Greyhound Park racetrack, which is the last stop on the Blue Line.

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Goofs

The level of wine in Erin's glass, when she is dining with the Brazilian.

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Quotes

Erin Castleton: But wouldn't you say that consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds?
Alan: Well, actually, its "a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." That's Ralph Waldo Emerson.

User Reviews

Chick Flick With a Bite

This is a very enjoyable movie. I must admit that I had my doubts at first, as it looked far too sugary for my taste. Poor marketing I guess. However, this is the first movie in years which I watched and then watched again the next day. Hope Davis' character, Erin, elicits many emotions -- the first of which is pity. Having been dumped by what is clearly the wrong man, we witness her attempt to re-enter the dating scene. She is immediately catapulted back into the world of losers, married men, and guys who are downright scary. She handles all of this with grace, but more than a hint of cynicism. You can often see the depression in her face, as she moves from one date to the next, always telling her friends that "there's no such thing as destiny." And yet, there is (as she discovers.)

Her character seems very much the essence of the modern young single person: She tells herself she is happy alone, but quietly yearns for the depth of true love. She is never rude, except when it's deserved, but she is never particularly friendly either. She inadvertantly wears the scars of years of dating on her sleeve. A very subtle and clever performance from the ethereal and under-appreciated Hope Davis. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED