MR WONDERFUL

US, 1993, 98 minutes, Colour.
Matt Dillon, Annabella Sciorra, Mary- Louise Parker, William Hurt, Vincent D' Onofrio, David Barry Gray, Dan Hedaya, Bruce Kirby, Luis Guzman, Jessica Harper, Joanna Merlin.
Directed by Anthony Minghella.

Mr Wonderful as a light romantic comedy, set in New York City, focusing on Gus, an electrician, played by Matt Dillon, who is divorced from his wife, Leonora, played by Annabella Sciorra. He continues his work with his friends on sites around the city, tries to raise money to invest with them in refurbishing a bowling alley, but finds he cannot raise a loan, has to pay alimony, much of which goes to his wife’s studies.

Meanwhile, she is in a relationship with her professor, played by William Hurt.

Gus is in a new relationship with Rita, Mary- Louise Parker. They are prepared to move into a new apartment. but, Gus still seems to pine for his former wife, setting up a whole range of his friends to date her, which she agrees to, so that she can find a new Mr Wonderful. When she dates a gentle giant, Dominic, played by Vincent D’ Onofrio, Gus begins to be jealous, Rita sees that their relationship is at an end.

He confronts the professor, but realises his love for Leonora and he becomes her new Mr Wonderful.

The film was directed by Anthony Minghella, Truly, Madly, Deeply, who was to go on to win an Oscar for The English Patient and to direct such films as The Talented Mr Ripley, Cold Mountain, Breaking and Entering.

1. Romantic comedy with serious undertones? The New York story? The work of the director and his British perspective?

2. The title, the scheme for Leanora and a new husband? Gus and his ultimately being Mr Wonderful?

3. The locations, the city, homes and apartments, the streets, the work sites in the centre of New York, College? The feel of the city? The musical score?

4. Gus’s story, his marriage to Leanora, their hopes, the clashes, the demands, the separation, his study, his paying for the studies, the pressures on each? Their falling out of love?

5. Gus and Rita, the relationship, love, her work hospital, his working on the sites around the city, the visits to the hospital, going out, the plan to buy a place, investing in it? His friends and their proposition to collect money for the bowling alley? Gus failing to raise a loan?

6. Gus on his personality, age, experience, lack of education, reliance on his friends and their company, the pressures for money, their wanting to be partners in the venture? Love for Rita or not? His angers? His meetings with Leanora? The memories, the clashes, her seeing the Professor, his jealousy?

7. Leonora, in herself, wanting education, developing herself, the relationship with the Professor, writing? The student-teacher relationship? His family? Study, the effect, the meetings, her being on the side? Gus meeting him, the challenge?

8. The outings, the meals, Leanora and her coming with Dominic? The awkward conversation? Gus and his being sulky? Rita realising that he loved Leonora? The hurt, the clash, her leaving? Her meetings with Leonora and their friendship?

9. The Mr Wonderful scheme, the range of set-ups, the various types, Leonora agreeing, the outings and their being fiascoes? The contrast with Dominic, nice, the quiet giant, their outings, his falling in love, his being hurt by her?

10. The background, the families, hospital visits, meals, the family on the plans for Gus’s future?

11. The finale, meeting, together – Gus and Leanora reconciled, his being Mr Wonderful – and their future?