Wonderland 2003

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Wonderland ★★ 2003 (R)

Inferior true-crime drama about down-on-his-luck, druggie porn star John C. Holmes (Kilmer) who got mixed up in a 1981 quadruple homicide at 8763 Wonderland Avenue, where Holmes partied and bought his drugs. Kudrow, in a standout performance, plays his long-suffering wife Sharon and Bosworth his much-younger girlfriend Dawn. While emphasis is on the crime and what role Holmes played in it, pic may have benefited from further exploring the relationship between Sharon and Dawn, who became life-long friends. The anatomically gifted Holmes, is adequately portrayed by Kilmer. Told in confused, back and forward chronology, events and motivations muddle an interesting story much better articulated in director Anderson's fictitious but far superior ode to the porno industry, “Boogie Nights.” 99m/C VHS, DVD . US Val Kilmer, Kate (Catherine) Bosworth, Lisa Kudrow, Dylan McDermott, Eric Bogosian, Josh(ua) Lucas, Christina Applegate, Tim Blake Nelson, Ted Levine, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Janeane Garofalo, Franky G., M.C. Gainey, Carrie Fisher, Faizon Love; D: James Cox; W: James Cox, Captain Mauzner, Todd Samovitz, D. Loriston Scott; C: Michael Grady; M: Michael A. Levine.