Fate or Fiction
Wonderland Questions Romance in the '90s

Hollywood has often portrayed love as an event which just "happens." No matter what one does, no matter what one expects, true love can strike at any time. We are -- Hollywood would like us to believe -- in the hands of Fate. But Erin Castleton doesn't believe in fate. After her boyfriend leaves, she resigns herself to a lonely life without expectations.

Next Stop, Wonderland is a delightful independent film which speaks to the romantic in us all. It follows Erin, a young registered nurse who has resigned herself to a life of quiet loneliness. While Erin is talking to her mother (Holland Taylor) it becomes apparent that she has given up on several of her dreams -- most around the time that she lost her father. Her friends and family want her to find someone, but she believes "only you can make yourself happy."

In this world, however, Erin's is not the only story. We are also introduced to Alan Monteiro (Alan Gelfant, The Crow: The City of Angels), a former plumber and marine biology student. At 35, Alan has finally latched onto his dreams: he volunteers at the local aquarium and he is the star student in his biology class.

Ultimately, Erin's mom takes matters into her own hands and places a singles ad for her daughter. At first furious with her mother, Erin becomes desperate and decides to check the messages waiting for her. When she realizes that more than 60 men have responded, her curiosity leads her to answering the messages.

While their two worlds never quite collide, Erin and Alan orbit each other, often coming within inches of making contact. In one delightful scene, Erin's picture appears in the newspaper's society column. While she and Alan are drinking in separate parts of the same bar, he spills a drink on his newspaper, causing her picture to bleed through from the previous page and into view. Before he can notice it, however, Alan folds up the wet paper and throws it away.

While the movie premise could certainly be a vehicle for a star like Sandra Bullock or Meg Ryan, Next Stop, Wonderland showcases the talents of a relatively unknown actress named Hope Davis. Davis brings to the screen a quiet vulnerability. She makes us care for her, but unlike a big-star movie, we have our doubts if she will find true happiness.

Next Stop, Wonderland is hopelessly romantic, but often sedate. The humor is subtle and dry. While there are moments that made me laugh out loud, they were few and far between. Even though it is an independent film with a small cast, it is refreshing and uplifting. It might not be to everyone's taste, but I think true romantics will fall to its charm.

MY RATING: 7 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 111 min.