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IMDbPro

Wondrous Oblivion

  • 20032003
  • PGPG
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Wondrous Oblivion (2003)
Home Video Trailer from Palm Pictures
Play trailer2:04
1 Video
7 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Family
Eleven-year-old David Wiseman is mad about cricket but no good at it. He has the entire kit but none of the skill. So when a Jamaican family moves in next door and builds a cricket net in th... Read allEleven-year-old David Wiseman is mad about cricket but no good at it. He has the entire kit but none of the skill. So when a Jamaican family moves in next door and builds a cricket net in the back garden, David is in seventh heaven.Eleven-year-old David Wiseman is mad about cricket but no good at it. He has the entire kit but none of the skill. So when a Jamaican family moves in next door and builds a cricket net in the back garden, David is in seventh heaven.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Paul Morrison
  • Writer
    • Paul Morrison
  • Stars
    • Sam Smith
    • Leagh Conwell
    • Dominic Barklem
Top credits
  • Director
    • Paul Morrison
  • Writer
    • Paul Morrison
  • Stars
    • Sam Smith
    • Leagh Conwell
    • Dominic Barklem
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 25User reviews
    • 38Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Wondrous Oblivion
    Trailer 2:04
    Wondrous Oblivion

    Photos7

    Wondrous Oblivion (2003)
    Wondrous Oblivion (2003)
    Sam Smith and Emily Woof in Wondrous Oblivion (2003)
    Wondrous Oblivion (2003)
    Wondrous Oblivion (2003)
    Wondrous Oblivion (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sam Smith
    • David Wisemanas David Wiseman
    Leagh Conwell
    Leagh Conwell
    • Jessopas Jessop
    Dominic Barklem
    • Pritchardas Pritchard
    Jo Stone-Fewings
    Jo Stone-Fewings
    • Mr. Pughas Mr. Pugh
    Emily Woof
    Emily Woof
    • Ruth Wisemanas Ruth Wiseman
    Yasmin Paige
    Yasmin Paige
    • Lilianas Lilian
    Richard Ashton
    Richard Ashton
    • W.G. Graceas W.G. Grace
    Carol MacReady
    Carol MacReady
    • Mrs. Wilsonas Mrs. Wilson
    Stanley Townsend
    Stanley Townsend
    • Victor Wisemanas Victor Wiseman
    Osnat Schmool
    • Mrs. Glicksteinas Mrs. Glickstein
    Mark Penfold
    • Head Teacheras Head Teacher
    Tom Roberts
    • James Bryceas James Bryce
    Philip Whitchurch
    Philip Whitchurch
    • Mr. Woodberryas Mr. Woodberry
    Angela Wynter
    • Grace Wisemanas Grace Wiseman
    Petra Letang
    • Loretta Samuelas Loretta Samuel
    Louis Mahoney
    Louis Mahoney
    • Mr. Johnsonas Mr. Johnson
    Anni Domingo
    • Mrs. Jacksonas Mrs. Jackson
    Delroy Lindo
    Delroy Lindo
    • Dennis Samuelas Dennis Samuel
    • Director
      • Paul Morrison
    • Writer
      • Paul Morrison
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When he presented the film at a private screening at the Cannes Film Festival, Delroy Lindo dedicated the film to his mother who - like the mother character in the movie - was a Jamaican immigrant who moved to the UK.

    User reviews25

    Review
    Top review
    Not fantastic but a nice film that made for an engaging watch nonetheless
    David Wiseman loves cricket and follows it religiously despite not actually being any good at it. His efforts to get onto the school cricket team start and end with doing the scoreboard while at home his collection of player cards takes up his time. When his Jewish neighbours move out, the Wiseman's find themselves dropping down the neighbourhood suspicion list as the new neighbours are Jamaican. The eldest of the family, Dennis, immediately uproots the roses in the garden and begins doing who knows what, to the amusement of the neighbours. However when it transpires that they have been making a set of cricket nets David ignores the community disapproval and starts to play with the Samuels family.

    Featuring a handful of people from Eastenders, UK actors and one Hollywood star this film was a strange find at the cinema but it understandably didn't do a great deal while it was there. From the trailer it seemed that it was clearly going to be about overcoming prejudice and using cricket as a plot device for this. However watching the film it doesn't seem to completely ever decide if it wants to explore this, the relationship between Ruth and Dennis or a coming of age story surrounding David. Although it is perfectly reasonable that the film would try to combine all three of these, it doesn't really pull it off as well as it could have done. Instead of pushing one thread it runs a middle ground for each one of them and in fairness it does it well enough to make for an interesting film albeit one that is neither that charming or convincing.

    The cast help hold the threads together by being consistent in their performances. Smith does well in his role although he is perhaps too easily pulled around by the mix of directions associated with his character even if he does do well scene to scene. Lindo was a surprise find in this film mainly because of how famous he is; his character is hardly complex but he is charismatic and talented enough to do well with it regardless. Woof has a strange character and suffers from the film not really sticking with her threads in all regards. Townsend is solid in support while the rest of the cast fill in round the edges well. Nobody is brilliant but the material doesn't really allow for that on many occasions.

    Overall then a pretty enjoyable film. It tends to take the middle-road in several threads rather than pushing it out on any one, which does rather reduce the impact while rounding the film out to be more about the people than any one theme. Not fantastic then but a nice film that made for an engaging watch nonetheless.
    helpful•10
    2
    • bob the moo
    • Dec 22, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 23, 2004 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • France
      • Germany
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hebrew
      • Yiddish
    • Also known as
      • Davids wundersame Welt
    • Filming locations
      • Ladysmith Rd, St Albans, UK
    • Production companies
      • APT Films
      • Met Film Production
      • Met Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $88,560
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $11,749
      • Jul 23, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,374,302
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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