The Great New Wonderful (2005)

Director:

Danny Leiner

Writer:

Sam Catlin (written by)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Rebuilding is a process.

Plot:

The Great New Wonderful weaves five stories against the backdrop of an anxious and uncertain post-9-11 New York City.

Plot Keywords:

Profanity | New York Skyline | School Principal | Restaurant Scene | Penguin

Cast

Olympia Dukakis	...	Judy Hillerman (segment "Judy's Story")
Jim Gaffigan	...	Sandie (segment "Sandie's Story")
Judy Greer	...	Allison Burbage (segment "David and Allison's Story")
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Emme Keeler (segment "Emme's Story")
Thomas McCarthy	...	Davie Burbage (segment "David and Allison's Story") (as Tom McCarthy)
Sharat Saxena	...	Satish (segment "Avi and Satish's Story")
Naseeruddin Shah	...	Avinash aka "Avi" (segment "Avi and Satish's Story")
Tony Shalhoub	...	Dr. Trabulous (segment "Sandie's Story")
Stephen Colbert	...	Principal Peersall (segment "David and Allison's Story")
Dick Latessa	...	Jerry Binder (segment "Judy's Story")
Will Arnett	...	Danny Keeler (segment "Emme's Story")
Seth Gilliam	...	Clayton (segment "Emme's Story")
Anita Gillette	...	Lainie (segment "Judy's Story")
Julie Dretzin	...	Julie Driscoll (segment "Emme's Story")
Edie Falco	...	Safarah Polsky (segment "Emme's Story")

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

USA:87 min (Tribeca Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hindi

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | Brazil:12

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Serenade Films

Trivia:

WILHELM SCREAM: Heard on TV.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Sandie - Dr. Trabulous' patient: I think I'm lost.

Movie Connections:

References Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)

Touching portrait of post 9/11 New York

I found this film to be a poignant portrayal of the lives of several New Yorkers post 9/11. They lead lives of quiet desperation with a backdrop of the despair that lingers after 9/11. Although the death/destruction in lower Manhattan are never mentioned, the symbols of 9/11 are there as a constant reminder. The film has both funny, and sad moments, however I found the panoramic shots of lower Manhattan sans the WTC to be especially moving. Instead of taking a heavy handed approach, the director skirts the issue and lets the viewer draw his own conclusions. Danny Leiner shows a masterful touch at revealing the emotions deep inside these characters. Who wouldn't thought this is the same guy who brought us Harold & Kumar?