Film Review: Wonderful World

 If the glass is half empty, at least you can't drown.

Two things I enjoy: Matthew Broderick's acting and acoustic guitar. This film has both. Wonderful World premiered at New York's Tribeca Film Festival in April 2009 and will be in limited released January 8, 2010, i.e., most likely not in my immediate area. It may be seen now via Magnolia Pictures for OnDemand subscribers.

Ben Singer (Matthew Broderick) is a divorced father, a failed but talented children's folk singer, a recently unemployed career proofreader, and a chronically unhappy person. His cynicism stems from encounters with greed, the "bottom line", and "the man", whom he encounters several times while smoking marijuana in the shared apartment with Senegalese roommate, Ibou (Michael Kenneth Williams).

Ibou becomes ill, which leads to a series of events that helps change Ben and his relationships with others, including his daughter. One of the primarily influences is Ibou's sister, Khadi (Sanaa Lathan) from Senegal, who moves into Ibou's room while her brother remains hospitalized. Ben begins to see the beauty around him and to understand perspective.

Aside from having difficulty understanding Ibou during a crucial conversation, I enjoyed the film tremendously. View trailer here.  Note:  As I understand it, the music is original to the film and there is a cameo performance by acclaimed musician Dan Zanes, the noted father of the modern independent kids' music movement.

4 of 5 stars