Wonderland
Published June 22, 2004
I suppose Wonderland is the seedy next-day truth to Boogie Nights, as Diggler-er-Holmes is forced to go to Wonderland Avenue and pound out a bloody revenge against his friends for the robbery. To Wonderland's credit, we never see Holmes' savage sausage. He is forced to pull it out at one point - away from camera view - for eager party guests.
The Wonderland case is technically unsolved, though authorities pretty much know the story. Holmes was acquitted, and eventually died of AIDS in 1988. Eddie Nash served 37 months in jail for a drug-possession charge, but was never tagged for the murders. Today, Nash lives in LA freedom an elderly man, undoubtedly pleased at having been portrayed in filmland by the likes of Eric Bogosian and Alfred Molina, two of the finest character actors of their era. As to whether Nash would awkwardly dance around in speedo and housecoat while snorting lines of white powder, I cannot say. The similarity of characterizations in Wonderland and Boogie Nights leads one to think it must be partially true.
As mentioned earlier, there's much in common between the 1981 massacre and the Manson slaughters during the summer of '69. To date, both crimes have had awkward films made about them (Helter Skelter was filmed twice for television in 1975 and 2004). I suspect it's not easy to wallow in this kind of snuff, when the only emotional truth is mindless brutality. Sleaze is sleaze, no matter the light one chooses to shed upon it.
Wonderland accurately portrays a horrible crime and the days leading up to its resolution. The drug den will be familiar to anyone who stumbled upon such scenes during the coke-happy 1980s. Like watching a crime scene video, you'll find yourself wanting to look away. But like the party-goers staring wide-eyed at Johnny "Wadd's" infamous member, you won't.
- Wonderland
- Published: June 22, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Crime, Video: Drama, Video: Suspense and Mystery
- Writer: Chris Kent
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Thanks Lono,
I suppose one could consider Wonderland a continuation of the epic Boogie Nights saga, though both films are so different in tone and style that it would be an uneasy transition. Boogie Nights delved far deeper into the characters. Wonderland was so obsessed with the crime, the characters fell by the wayside. If we are to depend on Boogie Nights for the character motivation of Wonderland, then this film is a complete disaster.
Both films have equally talented casts, so the fault must fall on the director and writers of Wonderland. Wonderland perhaps gets a nod for showing a mostly unflinching look at the lives of these Hollywood losers......I will give it that. It's not an easy film to watch.
Wonderland is a historically accurate film, but character depth is shallow and Cox pulled a few too many stylistic moves with a story undeserving of them.
Chris, great review as ever! And some really interesting observations, not least the one mentioned by Lono about how this could be an unnoficial sequel to Boogie Nights. I have yet to see this here flick, but hopefully will do shortly, and indeed, my intentions to seek it out have been given a shot in the arse by your article.
Interesting stuff on the crime, too.
Good work, man.
Thanks Duke,
Depends on which side of the bed I wake up on as to my overall opinion of Wonderland. It's not anywhere near the level of Boogie Nights, which I consider one of the great films of the decade......an absolute classic.
Wonderland should probably be quickly forgotten. But it's still fascinating to watch.
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You made an interesting link, which should be stronger stated: Wonderland is part two to Boogie Nights. If you ever want to know what happens to Dirk's character... the Holmes story is perfect. I thought it was a really interesting DVD (I rarely kick down the cash to see a movie. Unless it is something like Lord of the Rings... every movie gets the Netflix treatment here). I highly recommend this DVD as a piece of escapist entertainment for people with low legal standards for what constitutes fun!