This is one of the most successful film adaptations I have ever seen. Which is suprising since I loved Michael Chabon's Wonder Boys so much, I expected to be hyper-critical.
The fact that it has one of my favourite actresses - Frances McDormand - helps, of course, but the sharp script and faithful adaptation go a long way, too.
Grady Tripp once wrote the Great American novel. Seven years and with a sprawling, 2000 page manuscript he can't finish, he is still trying to follow it.
In one weekend, Grady's wife leaves him, his mistress announces she's pregnant, and his editor (played by Robert Downey Jr at his very best) comes to town.
The plot is wonderfully crazy, with far too many twists to easily summarise, and all of the characters - both major and minor - are an outright joy to watch.
Even if you're not usually a fan of his, don't be put off by Michael Douglas, either. He plays Grady Tripp - with all of his strengths, weaknesses, insecurity and ego, wonderfully well. It's one of those times that the actor looks and talks exactly how I imagined when I read the book.
This is a class act and well worth putting on your DVD rental list.
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