No one has been treading water and barely keeping his head above it like Woody Allen's film career. The one time giant of cinema in generous terms is hitting about 200 over his last 20 films as he fields superstars and hires the best lensmen and offers up impeccable set design and costuming. His writing however has become a threadbare transparency of past films, the dialogue lacking the wit and humor, found in his prime, nowhere to be found lately.Wonder Wheel is a glum Radio Days about an adulterous affair between a Coney Island lifeguard (Justin Timberlake) and a waitress (Kate Winslet) married to a carousel operator (Jim Belushi) living next to The Wonder Wheel. Matters get complicated when a prodigal daughter by another wife shows up at their place with the mob in pursuit. Things calm briefly but explode when the daughter begins to date the lifeguard. Winslet does the best she can with Allen's meager script that seems to repeat itself in the chaotic slap happy domicile scenes that come across both sloppy and artificial. With a convincing accent and weary facade it would be the equal of oscar winner Blanchette with healthier dialogue. The limited Belushi with Allen's help comes across whiny and annoying while lifeguard Timberlake's cavalier attitude in the face of tragedy fails to endear him as well. Juno Temple as the hon on the run and a leitmotif of a firebug son also appear as Allen ghosts from the past.Cinematographer Storaro works his usual wondrous magic but the cast he showcases remains stranded with Allen's anemic script and Wonder Wheel barely turns because of it.

Kate Winslet gives a magnificent performance, worthy of an Academy Award. The screenplay is another Woody Allen masterpiece. It's too bad that more people don't recognize what an incredible talent he is. We are lucky to be gifted with so many wonderful movies, each a piece of our own psyche. Each a mirror into our own soul.

I'm actually not a huge Woody Allen fan. But I must say that this film sucked me in and held my attention the entire time. I could kind of see where it was going, but the production values and especially the acting was top notch. I actually even enjoyed the dialogue and felt Kate Winslet should have received an Academy award nomination. I don't believe she did but she blew me away. Jim Belushi was quite good as well, Timberlake was decent too. All in all it was worth the watch, but a pretty sad movie to me. I thought the ending was perfect despite many people feeling it just ended. I feel that's how life is sometimes, not always happening or ending the way we expect. A very solid movie in my book.

This film was very good. The sets were incredible and looked very authentic. I really loved the dramatic lighting. The story is a tale that's been told before, but the characters and circumstances in this film make it stand out. Kate Winslet plays a women who is deeply unhappy and equally flawed. She is trapped. Jim Belushi was impressive in this role and I thought he held his own with heavyweight Winslet in their scenes together which I was not expecting. Justin Timberlake is no stranger to acting and he fit into the role of optimistic artist Mickey very nicely. Juno Temple was sultry as always, but also exudes a sweetness few of her previous roles permitted. I thought it was a great film. This is truly a film about choices, the choices we make in life, and how they impact the future. I highly recommend this film.