If there’s a movie where Jim Belushi stands out for his acting, you know something is wrong. Wonderwheel succeeds only in its cinematography and capture of early ‘50s Coney Island. Woody Allen’s script reads like a cheap novel and most of the acting follows suit. Kate Winslet does her best as the unfaithful wife on her second go-round at marriage and infidelity. Justin Timberlake is the young object of her affection as well as that of her step-daughter. Timberlake, both as actor and narrator, comes off like he’s reading a teleprompter….and not well. Juno Temple manages to brighten an otherwise depressing ensemble as Belushi’s daughter who is hiding from her mob ex-husband. If all this sounds confusing, add in Belushi and Winslet’s young son whose hobby is burning things (up to and including his therapist’s office). Cap it off with an unsatisfying conclusion and you’ll likely wish you had your 2 hours back.

I have not the desire to see every single Woody Allen film & this relatively late effort is one reason. I rented it because I always enjoy a Kate Winslet performance & though she has some decent moments here her character is so off putting, IMO, that I could not view her situation with much sympathy & it all fizzles out by the end anyway. The other characters I was hoping that two of THE SOPRANO fellas might have figured more in the proceedings. Their presence here is supposedly threatening but they are played, as two somewhat comically bumbling mafioso on a a lethal mission that only adds some more lame humor to the story. The other characters do not fare much better. Postulating a beaf cake part time lifeguard, played by Justin Timberlake, as an ambitious student of Eugene O‘Neil‘s dramas is perhaps a satirical touch but even that wears thin pretty quickly. However seeing Jim Belushi, playing Winslet‘s sad sack husband, made me think of a softer version of Ralph Kramden. The way he appears now if there were ever a film bio made of Jackie Gleason, Belushi would be ideal casting. Some of the cinematography is wonderful but a continuity error, I presume, occurs during one of Winslet‘s monologues where the film‘s lighting effects moves faster than her discourse. In other words 30 minutes of sinking sun takes place within the much shorter space of Winslet‘s, otherwise, effective dramatic moment. All in all, I suspect Allen was investigating another more serious approach, with some lackluster comedy, to his usual filmmaking. He has had far more success in other similar styles of movies such as MATCHPOINT & CRIMES & MISDEMEANORS, IMO Reviewed by Peter Graham

Awful! Great actors giving horrible performances. There isn't one likable character in this movie!

in the late days of coney island, this 1950s family tale of family relationships, dreams gone awry and coming back in midlife is stunningly acted with kate winslet and john belushi and a young juno temple as a prodigal daughter.

Allen is revisiting a lot of his familiar obsessions here (Tennessee Williams-esque female characters, exploring the NY of his childhood, etc.) But his nostalgia is ultimately for this type of theatrical narrative, not necessarily for the era the movie is set. Also just letting his cinematographer do their work in peace yields some gorgeous shots here.

This could have been a real gem of a film. Sadly, even though the cast was stellar, they couldn't make one single character likable. Frankly, I didn't give a damn what happened to any of them. The cinematography was the star and the reason I didn't give it 2 stars. Worth a watch? Sure, as long as you enjoy the pictures, the settings and nostalgia but with a bunch of unlikable human beings.

This is not a real review, it should be taken more as a collection of impressions on the film. This film is a masterpiece, a wonderful pearl of cinematography with sublime and boundless acting performances that enchant and amaze. The film is perfect in every detail, every scene is perfectly weighted, every little interaction and every little scene is really well studied in order to entertain and interest without ever seeming too heavy even if the film is a tragedy, a real love drama but this drama is fortunately not made heavy by any scene, but it is always perfect. Everything is very beautiful and the film is definitely a must see.

Filmaço também. Woody Allen não tem erro, ele só faz filme bom. Um filme "ruim" de Woody Allen vale mais do que qualquer outro filme com proposta difusa e erudita.

Another strong example of humor and humanity from Allen. His portfolio of movies makes it easy to see why so many talented actors work with him.

Wonderful colors, great idea, great proof of actor. Very Very beautiful.

The story and idea of this movie is great. The play style movie leads some good environments and some good writing for the dialogue between characters. The idea of a having the movie being played and narrated by the person who wrote it works as something I would want to see again in a future movie. The idea of it being a play loses its touch here sadly, as the acting is akin to a high school play, which takes you out of an otherwise enjoyable movie. Then the lighting effects are so in-your-face and overused that it loses its touch about halfway through the movie. This movie isn't going to leave any lasting impressions, but it isn't a bad movie. If you have an hour and a half to kill, and the concept sounds like something that interests you, check it out. Otherwise pass on this one as you will probably not enjoy it.

I loved the scene where jt went on a monologue about how he’d never see Carolina again or entertain the idea then she walks up and he asks her out for pizza instantly . That’s classic woody 3.1

Obra prima. Filme inteligente e sensível. Mostra o retrato de uma dinâmica familiar conturbada, enfrentando questões como, amor, paixão, infidelidade, no enredo inspirações em clássicos literários e tragédias gregas. Cinematografia e efeitos visuais densos, com jogos de luz refletindo os sentimentos dos personagens, raiva, rancor, melancolia, vaidade, muito bem explorados pelo elenco. Recomendo!

Jim Belushi still bad actor, Kate Winslet still good, Woody Allen still old. Juno Temple pretty. Film beautifully shot? Five star photography.

Ugh. I thought I had watched a half hour, but when I checked, I'd watched 17minutes, which felt like three hours. I couldn't turn it off fast enough as the dialogue was so grating and melodramatic, with set-up scenes going on forever. There was a time when Woody Allen couldn't make a bad movie. Now he can't make a good one. "A Rainy Day in New York" was even worse than this, if that's possible. If you want to watch his work, go back to the old stuff.

I liked this movie. I agree it seemed like a stage play at times, but so what. It was nostalgic, great set, interesting story, and great character development. There really isn't much I don't like about this movie, except at times I wondered if the lifeguard dating a married woman and her daughter was about woody.

This one is worthwhile for one thing: Allen's use of lighting. I don't think I've ever seen Allen use light like this, where he colors the whole room to reflect the mood and emotion? Maybe in the very boring "Interiors"? But, my memory is too bored by his Bergman mimicry, and I resent him too much now to double check. He's tried to show this kind of emotional light contrast in films like the black and white "Shadows and Fog", but he's never really mastered a beautifully shot black and white film, even when he masters the dialogue. His use of lighting in this was more interesting than his characters riding the wheel of dharma. Maybe he should just retire and paint and refine his sense of composition, and he can close his whole bit out at the MoMA...

Oh gosh this was bad. First if your going to do a period picture make sure the scenes you are using are from that period. This was suppose to be Coney Island 1950, sorry but the rides shown are not the rides that were there in 1950. Research makes a big difference. The acting was so cheesy and the script was shallow. The ending was so stupid it made no sense whatsoever. Watched it on streaming network, the movies on these streaming networks are terrible.

Peoples general criticism is the dialogue, yet I have a feeling that's how they talked in the 50's. It was beautifully shot as people have stated. I found.myself well entertained

I thought it was ok overall as it has a great cast and a throwback to the days of Coney Island in NY was great too, but the story seems to drag on at times as we look into the dull lives of these individuals that are trying to make changes for the better. The finish wasn't great either as the story leaves you hanging in the end.