That was an excellent one.

Lack of good storyline.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The stylisms of this movie are clear; the lighting the limited sets. It is like a theatre play, which of course is the whole point. Theatre itself is an important theme in this movie, hence why three of the four characters (everyone else is window dressing) are actors or writers.Yet the power of the characterisations and acting helps communicate the complexities of emotion, despite all its surface level appearances. It seems like any other Woody Allen movie, when Timberlake's character talks to the camera, and we assume everything will be light and comedic and there will be some adulterous hi jinx, which there is, but underneath the shiny surface are a couple of deeply frustrated artists, two characters with such shifting and complex emotions. Of course, Winslet's character has the limelight, and the complexity there... well, when the final act swings in, Timberlake is no longer talking to the camera and it reaches a different plain. Is it a plot twist (albeit an expected one) for the sake of it, or is the bored housewife desperate to be in a true drama (dressed all up in her Shakespearian costume), and thus creates one.

I've been a huge Woody Allen fan since the Annie Hall days. Some of his films are great, some just so-so. I thought this would be one of the latter, but was very pleasantly surprised. I'm sure if Woody hadn't been caught up in the accusations against him that this film would have been nominated for many awards, particularly Kate Winslet, who gives an incredible performance. What surprised me most about the film was Jim Belushi. I had no idea he was a serious actor, but he was very, very good. The weakest was Justin Timberlake, who I think is usually a good actor. He just didn't seem to fit in this very well. Watch the lightning in this film. It's really incredible as it fades very gradually in an out during a scene. Fantastic cinematography. This is one of those "heavy family dramas" about the disappointments of one's life. And for those of us of a certain age, it can really hit home.

The best thing I like about Wonder Wheel is Woody Allen marvelous re-creation of the Coney Island scene in the 50s where and when he and I both grew up in Brooklyn. The cyclone rollercoaster, the parachute drop, and of course the storied Wonder Wheel are all still there as is Nathan's hotdogs which we never did see. But as Justin Timberlake whose character narrates the film the fabled sandbar amusement park with the old Boardwalk was starting to show signs of decay and seediness. It reached its heights in the 80s but is now turning around. They've built a baseball stadium for the Single A Brooklyn Cyclones now and they draw very well. Given the area a much needed growth spurt. A couple Jim Belushi and Kate Winslet live at and run a carousel concession and business is always in streaks. Implied quite truthfully is that this is a six month business. Coney Island closes down for the most part, No one there to ride Belushi's carousel and Timberlake's services as a lifeguard on the beach are not needed.Which works out perfectly for Timberlake who is going to graduate school most likely on the GI bill and lifeguarding supplements his income. He's a World War II navy veteran and he's lived a glamorous life at least in the eyes stepmother Kate Winslet and stepdaughter Juno Temple whom the hunky lifeguard gets involved with.Winslet is married to Temple's father Belushi. It's the second marriage for both and she has a son Jack Gore by her first marriage who is in some serious need of mental health therapy. The boy likes to start fires and might even burn them out of house, home and carousel the little pyromaniac.Temple is on the run from the gangster husband she married. She was most indiscreet in a business which discretion is the lifeblood.Winslet gets the acting honors her portrayal of a woman in love with love who blows up one marriage with her lustful habits and is getting ready to blow up another with her affair with Timberlake. Timberlake's role is a strange one. Imagine a hunky Woody Allen and you've got his character. All the constant self analyzing in Allen protagonists are present here. It's in character as Timberlake is an English major looking to write. He's both involved in the story, but also trying to keep a certain distant perspective. I also have to say that as a Brooklynite, Timberlake does well but just doesn't ring true Brooklyn in spots.I must say Jim Belushi brings a certain layer of depth to his character. He's a broken down middle-aged failure, going to seed as is the area that surrounds him. He's a drunk and a wife beater, but you do feel sorry for him. I lived it there and I can certainly attest to the ambience that my fellow Brooklyn born Woody Allen brings to this film.

Act One, Scene One: The introduction by the narrator. Act One, Scene Two: The Apartment. This Woody Allen film looks like a play, is played like a play, therefore, it is a play. Sometimes I couldn't tell at times, whether I was on Broadway or sitting on my living room couch. If you like Woody Allen movies, then you'll like this play. If you don't, then pass on this one.