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Set in post-9/11 New York, this largely evocative dramedy interweaves the stories of five disconnected individuals who share an unspoken emotional malaise that shadows their attempts at returning to normal life.
All Critics (41) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (11) | DVD (3)
Not all the little stories and vignettes work (some seem almost pointless), but most of the performances, especially a haughty luncheon under a veil of politeness with Gyllenhaal and Falco, are spot on, involving and revealing. Aug 31, 2006 | Rating: B-
Not all the little stories and vignettes work (some seem almost pointless), but most of the performances, especially a haughty luncheon under a veil of politeness with Gyllenhaal and Falco, are spot on, involving and revealing.
Bob Longino
It may be the 9/11 movie to which the most people can relate. For most of us, that date wasn't about personal heroics or losing loved ones or survival. It was about processing the impossible and realizing that life, with all its ups and downs, must go on. Aug 25, 2006 | Rating: A- | Full Review…
It may be the 9/11 movie to which the most people can relate. For most of us, that date wasn't about personal heroics or losing loved ones or survival. It was about processing the impossible and realizing that life, with all its ups and downs, must go on.
Chris Vognar
Luminous, affecting, and at times humorous take on 9/11's aftermath. Aug 18, 2006 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Luminous, affecting, and at times humorous take on 9/11's aftermath.
Bill Stamets
While the film rarely imparts a true sense of messy everyday feelings and the strife of real life, the fine actors take your mind off the shortcomings. Aug 17, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4
While the film rarely imparts a true sense of messy everyday feelings and the strife of real life, the fine actors take your mind off the shortcomings.
Michael Phillips
Set on the one-year anniversary of the twin towers' collapse, the drama interweaves five stories about New Yorkers. It's a testament to the city's resolve to resume life as normal. Aug 10, 2006 | Rating: 3/4
Set on the one-year anniversary of the twin towers' collapse, the drama interweaves five stories about New Yorkers. It's a testament to the city's resolve to resume life as normal.
Jeff Strickler
Writer Sam Catlin and director Danny Leiner have fashioned an alert, shrewdly observed portrait of a moment in time. Jul 20, 2006
Writer Sam Catlin and director Danny Leiner have fashioned an alert, shrewdly observed portrait of a moment in time.
F.X. Feeney
...The Great New Wonderful boasts a pervasively aimless atmosphere that slowly but surely wears the viewer down and ensures that the film's overtly positive elements are ultimately rendered moot. Nov 29, 2009 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
...The Great New Wonderful boasts a pervasively aimless atmosphere that slowly but surely wears the viewer down and ensures that the film's overtly positive elements are ultimately rendered moot.
David Nusair
Candid but hermetic NYC emotional aftershocks Of 9/11. Apr 29, 2007 | Full Review…
Candid but hermetic NYC emotional aftershocks Of 9/11.
Prairie Miller
No film that I've yet seen better captures the dismal mood that gripped the city in the wake of the [9/11] attacks... Oct 13, 2006 | Full Review…
No film that I've yet seen better captures the dismal mood that gripped the city in the wake of the [9/11] attacks...
MaryAnn Johanson
While it's not always successful at doing so, this film does have its perceptive, thoughtful moments. And it features one of the best ensemble casts in recent memory. Sep 15, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
While it's not always successful at doing so, this film does have its perceptive, thoughtful moments. And it features one of the best ensemble casts in recent memory.
Jeff Vice
[The characters], like us, are looking for answers in a rare movie that boldly and thoughtfully asks the right questions. Sep 15, 2006 | Rating: 3.5/4
[The characters], like us, are looking for answers in a rare movie that boldly and thoughtfully asks the right questions.
Sean P. Means
There are amusing moments sprinkled throughout the film, a few genuine laughs, and some nicely played dramatic scenes. Sep 12, 2006 | Rating: B- | Full Review…
There are amusing moments sprinkled throughout the film, a few genuine laughs, and some nicely played dramatic scenes.
Eric D. Snider
Capitalizing on tragedy - blatantly and superficially. The script is too unspecific. It expects the audience to fill in the blanks of these characters' lives with our own interesting anecdotes and vocabulary. There's nothing insightful or different about these people. They're soooo regular. Just regular people dealing with 9/11. A slice of life that is too half-baked. I was hoping to like another Danny Leiner movie, but I guess the only similarity between this and H&K is the Indian demographic. In all seriousness though, I found Satish's and Avi's characters the most intriguing for their seamless melding of Hindi and English.
Super Reviewer
Much less crappy than I thought it would be. A handful of good character studies done by good actors made it decent. Especially Tony Shaloub and his A-hole character that he always seems to play when he isn't Monk. Plus Judy Greer is nice to look at.
[font=Century Gothic]Set in September 2002 in New York City, "The Great New Wonderful" consists of five separate storylines:[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Satish(Sharat Saxena) and Avi(Naseeruddin Shah) are two bodyguards who go about their jobs.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Judy Hillerman(Olympia Dukakis) is hardly speaking to her husband, when she runs into an old school friend.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]A boy, Charlie Burbage(Billy Donner), has been acting out again.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Sandie(JIm Gaffigan) is visited at work by a psychologist, Dr. Trabulous(Tony Shalhoub).[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Emme(Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a high-end pastry chef.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"The Great New Wonderful" is a too earnest take on a disparate group of New Yorkers. There is not a lot of story here. Instead, the movie tries to rely alone on mood to convey the state of New York City one year after the 9/11 attacks, but does not come close to succeeding even with a fine cast and some good thoughts about how life is precious.[/font]
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