Woody Allen’s latest is a disappointment, but even a lower-drawer Woody like WONDER WHEEL, which is anchored by a quartet of outstanding lead performances, is worth a look. Set around 1950, WONDER WHEEL tells the story of 26-year old Carolina (Juno Temple), on the run from her mobster husband and his crew after ratting them out. She takes refuge at the home of her estranged father Humpty (Jim Belushi) and his second wife Genny (Kate Winslet). They live with Genny’s young son Richie (Jack Gore), a budding arsonist, in a cramped apartment on the grounds of the Coney Island Amusement Park that quakes beneath the titular Ferris Wheel (shades of Alvy’s childhood in ANNIE HALL). Carolina’s unexpected appearance could not have come at a worse time. Genny and Humpty were at one time a pair of alcoholics that found each other when they were at a low point, but now he’s on the wagon and she’s begun a torrid affair with handsome lifeguard and aspiring playwright Mickey (Justin Timberlake). Mickey’s attracted to drama and Ginny, who was once an actress, sure gives it to him. The conflict begins when Carolina innocently falls for Mickey and, unbeknownst to her, complicates Ginny’s rather desperate love affair as she can’t handle being tossed aside for this younger woman. Meanwhile, the mob is closing in on Carolina.
While there’s much to like in WONDER WHEEL, Woody’s script simply isn’t up to his usual standards. Where last year’s CAFÉ SOCIETY had so many memorable lines (“live each day like it’s your last and one day you’ll be right”), the dialog here lacks depth or dimension or the zingers we associate with his scripts. When Carolina says: “It’s your 40th birthday, that’s a milestone” and Genny responds “It’s a tombstone!” the line falls flat. Besides young Richie and a pair of mobsters played by Sopranos alumns Tony Sirico and Stephen Schirripa, the focus stays on the four main characters, which gives the film a stage-bound quality. Fortunately, all four actors are stellar. Winslet’s Ginny is a dazzling trainwreck, and it’s hard to look away. Ginny’s in terrible shape, watching time steal away her acting dreams, trapped in a bad marriage and with a kid who’s become a serious danger. Mickey’s attention is the best thing to come her way in a long while and she doesn’t think twice about cheating on her husband. Woody has always gotten the best from his leading ladies and Winslet here is no exception. I was most impressed with Jim Belushi’s turn as the loutish Humpty, a decent, working class chump with a Ralph Kramden stammer and perhaps a capacity for violence. Timberlake plays things a bit too naive but is charming enough as the well-meaning lifeguard who also serves as the film’s narrator and Juno Temple, sexy in skintight dresses designed by Suzy Benzinger, shines as the sweet but somewhat slow-witted Carolina.
The cinematography by Vittorio Storaro is the real star here. His opening image captures a beach packed with New Yorkers on a sunny summer day, all attired in ‘50s-style swimsuits like a perfect picture postcard. WONDER WHEEL may not be Woody Allen working at the top of his form but it’s still recommended.
3 1/2 of 5 Stars
