Netflix is redefining my view of what a good film is, giving me the ability to find golden nuggets like Wonderful World. I'm not sure I would have found this one otherwise.I enjoyed the great character acting of Matthew Broderick and Sanaa Lathan, the occasional imagined appearance of "The Man" (Philip Baker Hall), and provocative insights from Ibu (Michael K. Williams) - a man who is central to the movie in a way I won't reveal to prevent a spoiler. Broderick plays Ben Singer who is the world's biggest cynic and ironically a man who had BEEN a semi-successful SINGER (I just caught on to the play on words). Broderick leads us through Singer's path of depression, despair, and emotionally draining cynicism while pausing frequently for hallucinations featuring "The Man"; presumably which are a result of some really good or really bad weed, depending on your perspective of what if anything makes weed good.This wasn't a film looking for an ending and didn't follow "film-making 101". Instead, it told a story. It had a great soundtrack that much like this film, was just too quiet to be a commercial success.Broderick has been in films that made him a household name most especially to my generation (I was inspired enough by War Games to become a programmer, which I have been for many years now). Although few people will watch this film because there isn't a big studio promoting it, this is the best acting I have seen from Broderick - even better than The Producers which he was a great performance. This was a different genre film so I wouldn't compare the two. It was produced and written by Joshua Goldin who was a writer in a 1992 movie Broderick was in called Out on a Limb. It must be interesting having written for the younger and older Broderick at two very different times in his career.Great job to the whole cast. I am trying to find the soundtrack so I can add it to my Pandora Queue. Great acting and great music.

An intriguing film that gets better as it goes along. I say this because I did find Matthew Broderick's performance overly cynical at the beginning.It's an original story of redemption. Matthew Broderick has always been good at giving a low key performance, but this turns out to be strong performance as well. This is an acting and talking film – don't view this for high-powered action scenes or flamboyant hysterical arguments.This is an earthy film that breaks down barriers – whether they be cultural or spiritual. But it is all done in a quiet way. The script is superior and the message is nicely presented with an ending that is balanced and very acceptable.

A quietly profound and touching story with plenty of humor along the way, "Wonderful World" is a rare gem in today's movie marketplace. First time director Josh Goldin delivers a strong message about what's wrong with our world -- and about what's right with it as well. I found the struggles of Broderick's (initially) cynical character very raw and challenging but also believable and sympathetic. Broderick himself brings a sensitivity, depth and intensity to this role that, for me, goes beyond anything he's done before except maybe just maybe "Election." His journey through this wonderful world leaves us with a lot to think about and is a credit to all involved in bringing this memorable film to life.

Wonderful World is a complete pleasure, and an increasingly rare experience in American movies: A truly real and thoroughly enjoyable story about real people. It is about what happens when bitterness is replaced with hope, and when anger for the world turns to understanding. And although it has plenty of laughs, it is at its core both a compelling love story and a story about the importance of friendship. This is a perfect role for Matthew Broderick, who doesn't generally find material of this quality to work with. I'm looking forward to the next film from Josh Goldin, for whom this directing debut is a great accomplishment and hopefully a harbinger of more and even better things to come. Seems it took him a while to get this first directing gig off the ground, which makes one wonder, when contemplating all the slick formulaic cynical product that usually pours like vomit from the throat of Hollywood. Wonderful World is a closely observed story with a big heart. Go see it -- it will make you feel good.