Wonderland (2003) User Reviews (167)

Sam Peckinpah-like version of Boogie Nights

[CelluloidRehab · 8/10 · 12 April 2005]

John Holmes is so famous, he's infamous (as the Three Amigos would say). This is a Rashomon-like story about the events surrounding the Wonderland Murders of the early 1980's, in Los Angeles. The story is pieced together from the retelling of a few of the participants. There is story from the friend's perspective, namely David Lind (played by Dylan McDermott). He is a participant in the robbery assault at Eddie Nash's place (Eddie Nash is a infamous drug dealer - and is the suppose to be the same character Alfred Molina played in Boogie Nights) and is heavily into the drug scene. There is John Holmes' perspective (played by Val Kilmer), which makes him out to be a pawn stuck between two kings (with a severe case of cocaine cravings). There is also the patchwork recollections of John's wife (Sharon - played by Lisa Kudrow) and his girlfriend (Dawn - played by Kate Bosworth) that fill in the spaces between the two stories. It is basically the same time frame that we are looking at, just each character's version. The only thing that is missing is the perspective from the dead people.

Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights portrays John Holmes as a slightly heroic character, with a tragic yet comedic karma. He is a caricature of a real person. He was more of less, a mixed up kid that got what he got through his "large" endowment. Director James Cox turns the comedy off and makes this episode in John's life into a nightmare for all of us watching. The details of the real life murders make this movie even more eerie.

Val Kilmer took what he learned of Jim Morrison, from the Doors, enhanced the performance for the Salton Sea, and then further enhanced that to bring us the deterioration of John Holmes through cocaine. All of the actors pull off very realistic looking portrayal's of cocaine junkies. Josh Lucas' performance stands out as one of the best in the movie. He plays Ron Launius (I think this character is suppose to be the same as the Thomas Jane character from Boogie Nights). Ron was the leader of the gang, loved having John Holmes around as a novelty and had a cocaine craving like sharks enjoy blood. The cocaine use seems so realistic as to make one think. Did they really use Splenda ??

Where Boogie Nights has a bubblegum pop feel to it (lots of color and 70's nostalgia), Wonderland is dark. The action is fast and furious, with a lot of jumps. It is twitchy and grainy. There is no comedy, just a never ending pace, as if the director is trying to put us into the nervous, fast paced, edgy cocaine high to make us feel what the characters are feeling. This is a graphic movie. It has one of the most intensely violent scenes I have ever seen in a movie. It actually shows the murders themselves (through the eyes of John Holmes at first and then from a third person perspective). It is so graphic, it looks like police evidence of a crime. I had to pause after this scene and remind myself this was just a movie. This movie is definitely not recommended for everyone. I recommend it as a good alternative to Boogie Nights, for those interested in the other sides of John Holmes.

-Celluloid Rehab

Not too Bad..

[decker12 · 8/10 · 28 February 2004]

I've read many negative reviews of this movie and finally got a chance to see it on DVD. To be honest I really don't know what the problem with it is.

It's a decent murder mystery thriller, shown from various points of view, from an eccentric cast of often drugged out potential killers/suspects, including the late porn king, John Holmes. Please read the plot synopsis for the exact details of the movie's plot - I wish to contribute more to a review than a synopsis.

Many reviewers went so far to give this movie their lowest rating due to violence but I really don't see it. MANY modern movies were worse - Saving Private Ryan was ultimately more violent than this movie, which often relies on implied blood stains than actual brutal slayings (the murders depicted in this film were done with lead pipes, afterall).

I was enthralled with both halves of the movie - the first showing John Holmes as a hopeless cash hungry drug addict, and the second half showing his side as a minor conspirator in a senseless bloodbath. The movie has excellent acting, even though Dylan McDemorant looks more than a bit out of place in his biker-esque personia and goatee'ed bad boy personality.

The soundtrack was also awesome - a fantastic mix of 70's B-side rock and obscure pop, spread out over a couple of hours in all the right places ala Boogie Nights.

Kilmer proves he's bigger than most

[cecil_idi · 8/10 · 17 March 2004]

Val Kilmer... Love or loath him, sometimes he gets under the skin of a character and pulls out a performance that makes you go 'Hey! This guy is a GREAT actor!' He did in the leather pants of Jim in The Doors and he's done it again in the leather underpants of John.

Revolving around the fall and fall of uber porn king John Holmes, Kilmer strutts to his knees as we unravel one of the biggest murder mysteries hollywood has never solved for over twenty years, with Holmes the key suspect to a brutal Manson-style slaughter.

What Kilmer does so effortlessly is exhude the low-life of the celebrity, the do anything to anyone craving that overwhelms anyone who had it and then lost it. Go see him, you'll know what I mean.

One of the best of the 2003!

[JimHammond · 9 June 2004]

I found "Wonderland" to be an excellent movie. What it does so well is place a marker on the people who were involved in that massacre (both the victims and the murderers). It also illustrates the slow and fatal decline of John Holmes from his post-porno world to the beginning of his death from AIDS, and this was the best role I ever saw Val Kilmer play. Eric Bogosian also plays his part well, and this is the best I have seen him since "Talk Radio".

This movie also has a soul for the period, and made me remember that time of my life (I was away in college at the time). It is rare that this good a movie comes out.

Needless to say, I highly recommend this movie.

A cesspool of a film, expertly made though

[NateWatchesCoolMovies · 7/10 · 18 July 2016]

I've always thought of this as the Oliver Stone Movie that the man never made. It has the sordid, excessive sleaziness of U Turn, and the studious inquisition into true crime and intriguing Americana that he showed us in JFK. Both films explore the violence and ugliness that peppers American history in different ways, the brash and the academic which often exist in opposite poles colliding in Wonderland, a wholeheartedly nasty account of a stomach churning multiple murder involving one of the most infamous porn stars who ever lived, John Holmes (Val Kilmer). I don't know what the real Holmes was like (besides tell rumours of his anaconda cock), but the version we see here is a sniveling, unrepentant scumbag who is very hard to empathize with unless you flip the nihilism switch on in your brain and lose yourself in it. The film follows his association with a group of fellow undesirables, interested only in furthering their own drug habits by any means necessary, legal or otherwise. John is late in bis career and on the cusp of being a washout, his underage girlfriend (Kate Bosworth) pretty much the only friend he has in the world. He spends his days getting involved in all kinds of smutty business, along with a crew of fellow junkies led by loose cannon Josh Lucas, grim biker Dylan McDermott and timid Tim Blake Nelson. When they collectively catch wind of the wealth of one of John's acquaintances, a dangerous club owning mobster (Eric Bogosian in full psycho mode), the dollar signs swirl in their already dilated pupils. After an ill advised robbery, Bogosian reacts with all the wrath of the Israeli mafia, fuelled by his personal vendetta, brutally slaughtering each and every one of John's gang, letting him live as a branded snitch. The film is based on notoriously grisly crime scene photos which can be seen online, laying speculation on Holmes's part in the killings, and spinning a sinfully chaotic, noisy web of pulpy hijinks surrounding the case. The film is told from two different perspectives, a fractured narrative laid down by Kilmer and McDermott in respective and very different summaries of the event. Ted Levine and Franky G. play the two detectives who take it all in and work the case, and the excellent M.C. Gainey plays a veteran ex cop who they bring simply because he's the only familiar face which skittish Holmes will open up to. This is an ugly, nasty film and I won't pretend it doesn't get very gratuitous both in dialogue and action. It goes the extra mile of obscenity and then some in its efforts to make us squirm, but every time I pondered the necessity of such sustained atrocities, I reminded myself that in real life there's even more of such stuff, and the film is just trying to hit the themes of decay home hard, albeit with a sledgehammer, not a whiffle ball bat in this case. Kilmer is fidgety brilliance as Holmes, a severely damaged dude who hangs onto the last strand of our sympathy by the wounded dog whine in his voice alone. The only time I felt anything for the dude is when he visits his estranged ex wife (a flat out fantastic Lisa Kudrow, cast against type and nailing it) and we see flickers of a dignity in him that's long since been consumed by darkness. One of his best roles for sure. Watch for further work from Michael Pitt, Louis Lombardi, Janeane Garofalo, Scoot Mcnairy, Christina Applegate, Faizon Love, Chris Ellis, Paris Hilton and Natasha Gregson Warner too. This one is like Boogie Nights, Rashomon and Natural Born Killers tossed in together on spin dry. It's a wicked concoction, but you'll need to bring a strong stomach and the foreknowledge that you're going to be spending two hours with some of the most deplorable human beings this planet has to offer. The silver lining is you get to see it all play out in killer style, smoky and evocative 1970's cinematography and dedicated thespians branding each scene with their own lunacy. Tough to swallow, but great stuff.

The Sultans Of Sleaze

[Lechuguilla · 7/10 · 11 January 2012]

A hard film to judge owing to its complexity, "Wonderland" tells the real-life story of the 1981 Wonderland murders in Los Angeles, which involved two sets of sleaze peddlers, linked by legendary porn star John Holmes (Val Kilmer). The film can be frustrating because the script is a mess. The story's chronology constantly jumps back and forth in time. And, although Holmes is a major character, other characters are just as important, but they are poorly identified, early on.

Even so, for viewers interested specifically in this case, the story is riveting. You have a two bedroom, split level condo, called Wonderland, that functions both as a party house and as a base of operations for illegal drug distribution. In the early morning hours of July 1, 1981, two or more people quietly invade the condo and, using lead pipes, kill four of the five sleeping occupants. Displayed violence and brutality are unnerving. The bodies are not discovered for twelve hours.

Who were the killers? Was Holmes involved? What was the motive for the murders? These kinds of questions appeal to true crime buffs.

With the exception of Holmes' wife, Sharon (Lisa Kudrow), none of the characters are remotely sympathetic; they're all hooked on drugs, including Holmes. As the plot progresses, we see that a drug-obsessed life can lead to a most horrible death.

The film neatly places the story in the proper cultural context. Cinematography trends dark and a little gimmicky. Sound effects and mixing are effectively sinister. The film's tone is quite sleazy. Most scenes are suitable only for adults. Pace alternates between slow and frenetic in the first half, but settles into a pleasant pace in the second. Acting runs the gamut from poor to good.

The main weakness of the film is its script, especially a convoluted plot structure. Yet to be fair, the real-life case was quite complex, which is not the fault of the screenwriters. Some casual viewers will find the film unappealing. But despite the film's problems, I liked "Wonderland" because of its gripping, true-life premise, and because of its cultural setting and built-in mystery.

Absorbing true crime picture.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 4 August 2013]

This hard hitting movie is effectively gritty and seedy and does reasonably well at delving into a true crime story, from two different perspectives: first, that of David Lind (Dylan McDermott, sporting a different look for him), a biker type who gets caught up in a heist and loses his girlfriend in a later massacre, on L.A.'s Wonderland Avenue, that was a result of that heist. The second perspective is that of fading porn legend Johnny Wadd, a.k.a. John Holmes (Val Kilmer), during a decline in his life in which he was also implicated in the heist and murders. Two detectives, Sam Nico (Ted Levine) and Luis (Franky G) do their best to investigate the crime(s).

There's a lot of familiar faces here, but some of them have pretty small roles. Still, it's an impressive showcase for both Kilmer and McDermott, as Kilmer and filmmaker James Cox give us a glimpse into what the life of Holmes was like during the early 80s period. Kate Bosworth also does well in the role of Holmes's young girlfriend Dawn. Sometimes Cox's filmmaking is a little too high-style, and it may take a viewer out of the movie at those points. Ultimately, though, this may prove to be compelling for any person interested in real crime stories, as it introduces us to all of the key players involved, including a crime boss, played by Eric Bogosian in one of his better big screen roles. Also appearing are Carrie Fisher, Josh Lucas, Tim Blake Nelson, Janeane Garofalo, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Scoot McNairy, Christina Applegate, Faizon Love, Chris Ellis, Lisa Kudrow (as Holmes's estranged wife Sharon), M.C. Gainey, and Paris Hilton.

"Wonderland" is good stuff overall, and does leave one wondering in the end just how deeply the troubled, drug addicted Holmes was involved. It's good at serving as a portrayal of the sleazy side of L.A. at a specific point in time. Text at the end reveals the fates of the key players.

Seven out of 10.

The fall of a porn star and the next big thing that comes for him

[KineticSeoul · 6/10 · 19 October 2010]

If watching people do drugs and violence is your thing, than this film is worth a look. But besides that there isn't much positive stuff I can say about this film, it was dull for the most part and not very interesting to watch. There isn't much to say about the acting in this movie either, except the fact that it's too forced but decent. When I first read how Val Kilmer is going to play John Holmes, I thought the plot is going to be about John Holmes and his porn star days. But that isn't the case for this movie, but how the story takes place after he falls from porn stardom. And revolves around a robbery, where the robbers steal from a big shot gangster boss. Now the story is told differently by different people and while this is going on, I was trying to figure out who told the truth and who told the lies. Which worked alright for a movie like this. This is a pretty much a dull movie, but on a positive note although it starts off a pretty dull movie. After about half way through the film starts to get a tad bit interesting, not a lot but slightly. Anyways the robbery and murders was never solved but the movie gives hints on what might have went down. Val Kilmer acting was pretty good, but from what I know his resemblance and how the real John Holmes acted like is inaccurate. Plus you just don't give a crap about any of the characters in this movie, most of them are just repulsive junkies. This movie isn't really about porn or drugs but the criminal activities that surround it. It's okay movie overall, but not a very satisfying one either.

6.7/10

Only Val Kilmer could have portrayed John Holmes properly

[nixskits · 9/10 · 23 November 2009]

"Wonderland" is an ugly, hard to watch film that gives us so many bad people ruining their lives with drugs that you have to wonder why it's an important crime story. Probably because the acting is so intense, it's the cinematic equivalent of a crack pipe you can't put down, even though it's burning your hands and you can't get "high" anymore. Be thankful when this is over that you don't have a drug habit. And if you're using, get help now!

Val Kilmer is so in tune with the broken down wreck of a porn legend who can't do much more than destroy himself and cut his ties with the straight world that his portrayal is truly horrifying. He meets his criminal match for out of control indulgence in the gang of dealers and robbers that live in or visit the house on Wonderland Avenue. Josh Lucas, Dylan McDermott and Tim Blake Nelson are the brazen trio willing to rip off anyone for a fix and the great Eric Bogosian is the ultimate prince of darkness gangster they foolishly cross. What happens next is not good!

Detective characters based on Bob Souza and Tom Lange, the two men that had the dead end assignment of trying to solve this hell on earth of a case, try to separate the lies from the brutal facts. Ted Levine, playing the older partner, is especially intense, as in the words of director James Cox. "Look at that guy, man. That guy can make gum chewing interesting!" Yes, he does. If anyone plays a cop who's seen too much better than Levine does here, give them the award for best performance as an LAPD Robbery-Homicide veteran.

Much of the script is verbatim from Holmes' and David Lind's (McDermott) own words. It becomes a duel of two sociopaths each trying to establish their version of events as the on the record account of what "really" happened back in the summer of '81.

Holmes' one redeeming link to the truth is his soon to be ex-wife, Sharon, where Lisa Kudrow turns in her best work ever. She's a woman in a predicament. The man she still loves emotionally needs her to save him from his cocaine based purgatory and finds she won't end her life in normal society to enter the witness protection program with him and his girlfriend, Kate Bosworth. (Before Tina Fey became forever linked with Sarah Palin, I thought the role of Sharon would have suited her! She has a resemblance to the photos of the former Mrs. Holmes shown in the documentary "Wadd".)

Why did Holmes live when so many others didn't? He didn't really escape, as AIDS related illnesses and his continuing drug abuse finished off the remaining years (he died at age 43 in 1988). An amusing urban legend about Holmes actually being "Leave It To Beaver" actor Ken Osmond was debunked many years ago by Osmond himself, who ironically became a cop after his acting days ended. But if Holmes ever had a "legit" acting career, "Eddie Haskell" is exactly the kind of role he would have naturally fallen into, the congenital liar who knew how to pacify authority figures with a gleam in his eye and dishonesty in his heart.

Kilmer does it again. Gruesome, but a intriguing watch.

[hohumdedum2 · 7/10 · 12 February 2004]

First of all, Wonderland is the kind of movie that can be seen once and remembered forever. I honestly am glad I waited to see it on DVD cause these extras are WONDERFUL. They really give depth to a crime that was just plain horrible. Holmes was just a f*ck, and Kilmer give another great performance of his character. Those looking for a sexual romp, look elsewhere. This film takes place all post-adult film industry. It's a real eye opener for people, such as me, who are not too familiar with the Wonderland murders. Those who liked the recent film "Monster" will also like Wonderland, a film about people you despise but just cannot stop watching. 6.5 out of 10.

Why should we care?

[dbborroughs · 4/10 · 20 January 2008]

Having sat through the movie Wonderland I am at a loss to explain what its about. I think its about John Holmes' involvement in the murders that occurred on a street called Wonderland, but I'm not sure.

Actually thats exactly what its about, the problem is that the film is so convoluted with a bad Rashamon style of many people telling versions of the same story that you end up with no idea what really happened, and not caring that you don't.

The film isn't bad, it just leaves you with a feeling that you have only slightly more information than you did prior to going in, and even then you're not to sure. Well, really there is one thing you're sure of, John Holmes was a jerk.

I don't hate the film, I don't really like the film, I just sort of think its there and existing in a pointless place in the universe. There is no reason for this to exist simply because the film isn't clear what its about or whats going on and most importantly why we should care. This is a bunch of not nice people doing not nice things to each other and we are suppose to care. I think not.

The one positive thing the movie did is get me interested in finding out what really happened. I have a need to get past the he said she said style of film making and to simply know what happened.

If you're interested rent this but don't plunk down more than a rental fee for this film. Its not worth it.

One fantastic movie!

[tmolthan · 10/10 · 17 February 2004]

I didn't expect Val Kilmer to make a convincing John Holmes, but I found myself forgetting that it wasn't the porn legend himself. In fact, the entire cast turned in amazing performances in this vastly under-rated movie.

As some have mentioned earlier, seek out the two-disc set and watch the "Wadd" documentary first; it will give you a lot of background on the story which will be helpful in appreciating the movie.

Some people seem unhappy about the LAPD crime scene video being included on the DVD. There are a number of reasons that it might have been included, one of which is that John Holmes' trial for the murders was the first ever in the United States where such footage was used by the prosecution. If you don't want to see it, it's easy to avoid; it's clearly identified as "LAPD Crime Scene Footage" on the menu!

Val Kilmer in what he does best

[ParanoidAndroid1982 · 6/10 · 23 July 2006]

Wonderland is usually advertised as a movie about one of the most famous porn stars ever. But the truth is that the fact that John Holmes was a porn star is not relevant at all for the events portrayed in the movie.

Wonderland deals with the post-porn era in Holmes' life, a time in which he got involved in the Woderland Murders. Val Kilmer does what he does best playing this detached, lost character in the descending phase of his career and life. This kind of character comes naturally to Val Kilmer, and no one plays it better than him. His credibility and talent makes the whole movie worth watching.

The script may be a bit feeble, especially in what concerns the supporting characters, but, on the whole, Wonderland is a good movie to understand the philosophy of an entire era.

Great Movie. One of my favorites ever

[eufory · 5/10 · 15 August 2008]

Val Kilmer and Dylan McDermott are terrific. I have seen Kilmer on The Doors, however his interpretation of John Holmes is superb. Nothing compared to Boogie Nights which was kind of slow. Wonderland is a movie which is able to show you a horrible crime story from the perspective from a guy who is just indulged in his drug vice and indolent of what ever happens around. At the same time, the John Holmes character shows a very clever hustler who is able to pass through the nastiest and ugliest situations almost unharmed. The movie deserves being watched more than once. The seventies ambiance sensual and full of drugs is amazing.

The closest dramatisation of the Wonderland Avenue massacre

[Critical_Beatdown · 14 April 2012]

WONDERLAND is the story of classic "jazz film" star Johnny "The Wadd" Holmes and his involvement in the Wonderland Avenue massacre in Los Angeles' Laurel Canyon in 1981.

The film starts with Holmes career already on the down slope that ended with his descent into drug addiction. When he was washed-up, Holmes befriended a cadre of iffy characters to help support his habit. His glory in the porn industry had long passed and he reached a stage where he was willing to abuse, double-cross, exploit and betray absolutely anyone to feed his addiction.

WONDERLAND tells its story from this point of his life from several viewpoints; Holmes the man; the victims; and their killers. What marks WONDERLAND as standing above the standard film biopic is its refusal to adhere to the usual "Romance of Redemption" spin that biopic films tend to follow. This could easily have been a ham-fisted, tragic-hero story but instead in WONDERLAND we have a film that pulls no punches and isn't afraid to tell it as truthfully as possible given the available information.

I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable on Holmes' career – after all, what man hasn't watched "those" sort of films and I'm also pretty sure most middle-age guys have heard of John Holmes and what man wouldn't want to be as "equipped" as well as "The Wadd" (minus the arsehole factor)? Having read a whole bunch of stuff about the Wonderland Avenue murders, the movie rings very true to the dismal tale it tells – a rare situation for dramatic biopics that are famous for adding fictional elements for no good reason.

WONDERLAND is no morality play and Holmes is presented in anything but the romanticised light that many people were expecting and hoped for. We have two sides of the same story; one from Holmes himself, the other from David Lind, a survivor of the slayings. As expected, both accounts paint very different pictures of each other and how it went down, as well as their mutual enemy, drug-lord Eddie Nash. Cox uses multiple versions of the crime as a clever film device but it's not central to the meaning of the movie, which is nice for a change… one RASHOMON was plenty, thanks, and Cox showboats a tremendous flair rarely seen from directors on their sophomore features.

The LAPD labelled the Wonderland slayings as the most gruesome crime scene since the Tate/Labianca slaughter, and here's a spot of trivia for y'all – the sordid and gore-soaked Wonderland house was the first crime scene to be filmed by a video camera (brand new technology back then) by police as a means to collect visual evidence. Incredibly, this uncensored crime scene video appears as an extra on the DVD! After watching it, I was torn between wondering if what I had sat through was in incredibly poor taste or if it's the best damn extra I've ever seen on any DVD.

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN's Christina Applegate grew up a couple of blocks from the murders and remembers the blood-soaked mattresses dumped in the streets – a memory that influenced her decision to agree in taking the small role of Susan Launius.

The filmmakers tracked down Holmes' teenage girlfriend, Dawn Schiller and his wife Sharon, both of whom served as consultants on the movie, sharing their insights of Holmes' character and the era. Seeing her past relived proved to be a very interesting experience for Schiller and she stated how impressed she was with the boner-load research the filmmakers made and stated, " I really felt that it was going to be an honest portrayal and that the truth was finally going to be told." To the best of my knowledge, she stands by that statement.

I had reservations about the choice of casting Val Kilmer in the role of Holmes (Matt Dillon was originally slated for the role but dropped out to direct CITY OF GHOSTS). How wrong I was; Kilmer's performance is spot-on, pitch-perfect and impeccably nails Holmes' physical mannerisms and personality so accurately, I almost forgot I wasn't watching the 13½ inch original portraying himself. In spite of being notoriously "difficult" an actor, Kilmer delivers the goods and I hope that one day he'll get full recognition for what he "pulled off" here (wink).

Initially, Kilmer was totally disinterested in playing the character of Holmes – even pleas from his agent and Cox to read the script were met with point blank refusal but his agent eventually tricked him into reading the script by asking him to consider the grittier role of Eddie Nash. Once Kilmer started reading it was a done deal. He changed his mind, signed on for the lead and ended up getting so into research for the role, he spent the night at the Wonderland Avenue crime scene during an anniversary of the horrific killings.

On its release, WONDERLAND was harshly dismissed by critics and totally overlooked come Oscar-time. In my opinion and that of the growing audience discovering it, WONDERLAND is easily one of the most underrated films of its decade.

There's no doubting Holmes was a scumbag. To quote Rodger Jacobs, co-writer and co-producer of WADD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN C. HOLMES, "John Holmes was the epitome of a sociopath, and an antisocial personality in the most broad and extreme definition of the word. He saw other people as 'things' to be manipulated to further his own needs, nothing less, nothing more." Quite an indictment, eh. No matter how you feel about him, Holmes is a true pop culture icon and at last here's a film that tells it as accurately as anyone could ever hope to and I'm pretty sure no one's going to be remaking this one in a hurry, in spite of the fact several Holmes' biopics were in the pipeline… thankfully Cox's mini-masterpiece beat them to it.

A classic in the making!

Kilmer and Kudrow are Oscar worthy...

[thebatsignal · 7/10 · 22 October 2003]

Val Kilmer's (John Holmes) navigation between labile, tender and then caustic moments in "Wonderland" is worthy of Oscar consideration. Lisa Kudrow turns in a surprisingly effective supporting role as his estranged wife...

Fair warning: Akin to "Reservoir Dogs", there are some extremely brutal segments in this indie film...

Wonderland is a trip.

[Smokey_8 · 7/10 · 20 January 2012]

I'm an avid believer that Val Kilmer is one of the best actors of his generation, and this role is him at his finest. This film could have easily been entitled, "Doors 2: it's all about Mr. Mojo Risin'". Kate Bosworth and Lisa Kudrow play their roles beautifully as well, and the Wonderland crew was perfectly cast. If you You will fall for these characters in one way or another. like drug rooted crime dramas you'll love this flick. If you love Val Kilmer you'll love this flick. If you don't like either of those then stay clear. This film will undoubtedly transport you to an exciting place and time, but how you react to the trip is up to you.

Porn star's heart of darkness

[jkbonner1 · 7/10 · 17 May 2014]

This film explores a rough slice drawn from the life of notorious porn star John Holmes (aka Johnny Wadd). It strongly hints at his involvement with the July 1, 1981 brutal slayings that took place on Wonderland Avenue, one of the many side streets off Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Los Angeles. Laurel Canyon is well known for its twists and turns, hidden crevices and offbeat landscape suggesting the strange and bizarre.

The story is told from two points of view: Holmes' (Val Kilmer) and David Lind's (Dylan McDermott)-Holmes' dealer. Since Holmes refused to name names, what really went down in that apartment that night will never precisely be known, but this film makes a convincing case as to what happened. A top crime boss gets robbed and is out for revenge.

Kilmer's performance etches Holmes into our consciousness as a man who is wallowing in the pit of what was once his claim-to-fame, the man with the 14-inch cock. Now driven by an insatiable out-of-control coke habit, he will stoop to anything to stoke it, including debasing himself and his teenybopper girlfriend, Dawn Schiller (Kate Bosworth), whom he sets up to screw Eddie Nash (Eric Bogosian), the kingpin drug lord and the man who reputedly ordered the Wonderland murders.

Holmes' nonstop motor mouth will say what is needed and promise what is needed as long as he can satisfy his craving. In addition to Kilmer's performance, the cinematography―with its speeding up of some of the frames―captures the frantic pace of someone living in that world―or to be more precise: allowing that world to live him. His coke habit constrained him to execute certain behaviors that he had no more control over than an automaton.

I can't unequivocally endorse this movie since gory murders and drug-fueled parties (convincingly done) aren't everyone's cup of tea. But for what it intends, namely, to show the drug-fueled frantic mania of late '70s/early '80s LA with its anything-goes attitude, it's first-rate.

It's a travesty of justice that the real villain of the whole affair―so insidious and powerful that the LA police were hesitant to touch him―got away literally with murder. But LA seems to be famous for that sort of thing.

7/10

PS Holmes died on March 13, 1988 as a result of AIDS.

Great acting

[chinaski-5 · 6/10 · 17 September 2003]

Val Kilmer is extremely impressive in this movie. I didn't know he had such versatility! The movie itself is quite gripping, and shot in a very unique style. There are moments when you are not sure what the film is trying to say, but there are some memorable moments, and the story itself is quite interesting. How did a big (porn) star like John Holmes go so far downhill? I recommend this film (8/10).

brilliant

[lsjesq · 8/10 · 24 May 2004]

May 2004, Wonderland is fairly new in the UK. Brilliant film of a brutal true story. If you know LA from the early 80's, you will appreciate how well it is captured. The use of the elements which make up its gritty cinematic style is original, amplifying the experience and bringing the viewer very close to actually being there. The use of a disjointed 'Pulp Fiction' style time line allows exploration of the uncertainty concerning what really happened, while the direction and performances of the cast command attention, especially Val Kilmer as John Holmes; an Oscar for sure if I were handing them out.

Good, but on the whole unsatisfying

[lfjeff63 · 6/10 · 23 November 2005]

Wonderland is about some heinous murders that took place in July 1981 in Hollywood (Laurel Canyon, to be precise). The porn star John Holmes was implicated in these murders, but never convicted. The acting in this film was great, but the editing and pacing were a little off. There is a part where Val Kilmer is speaking, but they edit his speech three or four times. I don't like that technique of film-making, it brings attention to the editing (see "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich" for more examples of this technique). We are told the same story from two different viewpoints, but the story isn't told chronologically, which kind of added to the confusion. All in all, not a bad way to pass an evening.

Cult-status, like size, does matter!

[Coventry · 4/10 · 13 February 2021]

In theory, "Wonderland" has everything to be an absolute favorite of mine. The plot revolves around a notorious (and bloody disgusting) true-crime murder case, the cast is full of familiar but non-obvious B-actors/actresses (Val Kilmer, Tim Blake Nelson, Ted Levine, Carrie Fisher, Eric Bogosian...) and the lead character is one of the most controversial anti-heroes of 70s exploitation cinema. Unfortunately, though, the film is a desperate cult-movie wannabe, and the fairly unknown James Cox directs with an arrogance and pretention as if he's God's gift to cinema.

John Holmes was a pioneer of the adult film industry - and proud carrier of an enormous member - throughout the 70s, but by the early 80s he was constantly broke and under the influence of drugs. The further downwards spiral even led, in the summer of 1981, to Holmes getting linked to the brutal Wonderland murders. Fascinating, for sure, but the script is poor and incoherent, and the overload of supposedly cool techniques (blitz editing, split screens, etc...) is quite annoying. Personally, I doubt this film would have even existed if it wasn't for the success-hit "Boogie Nights".

Once the summers of love ended .....

[jpileggi-1 · 8/10 · 28 August 2004]

One of the most disturbing and tragic periods in American history began. The members of the Summer of Love culture, at the end of the seventies and onset of the 80's, were eventually too old for love beads and all night parties and evolved back into mainstream life, whatever that meant. For those who could not out grow their youthful and sometimes irrational exuberance, their's was the culture of Wonderland. A love for drugs and a sense of entitlement coupled with a distaste for authority, values and "the establishment".

The sixties were a time of revolution and violent change that tore the American "house" apart. Once the battles were over, we all had to deal with the aftermath of the carnage. The characters in the Wonderland house are icons of the misfits of the Seventies; part biker, part hippie, part crook, all outcast. No ideology to express, just a sense of dissatisfaction with everything and allegiance to nothing. Ron, Billy and David fancy themselves as some sort of Robin Hoods with dope. They talk of love and behave violently; they take from the rich and sell to the misbegotten; they steal from everyone.

Holmes and company are the end result of a strange collision of anti-matter like sex, and drugs and rock & roll, when the lab technicians get bored and move on.

The film is skillfully directed and paced and captures the frenetic world of the drug fiends in their element. The fact that Holmes is a porn star is almost irrelevant. That story was told in "Boogie Nights". This is a story of a transitional and forgettable era.

A good film with a great cast

[gregsrants · 7/10 · 15 February 2004]

July 1, 1981, LAPD police were dispatched to 8763 Wonderland Avenue where the bodies of four people were found bludgeoned to death. The story behind the murders would involve the mob, a robbery, drug pushers and the most famous porn actor ever filmed, John C. Holmes. This was the backdrop for the new Val Kilmer vehicle Wonderland.

Directed by James Cox (Rock Star), Wonderland is a film that supposes the final days of those murdered at the split-level home through the involvement of John Holmes and the seedy characters to which he was associated.

For those of you 25 years old or younger, John Holmes may not register immediately as a familiar name, but in the late 60's and early 70's when pornography was evolving into the booming industry it is today, John Homes was simply, ‘The King'. With an endowment of over 13 inches, John gained fame and fortune starring in over 200 porn films and claims of sleeping with over 12,000 women. A quiet and kind man at the beginning of his career, John began using drugs in the early 70's and soon his dependency of heroin and cocaine would associate him with drug dealers and mobsters.

We see John Holmes in Wonderland at the end of his fame. Drugs have overtaken his career and John spends his days looking for his next freebase score. His so-called friends consist of a notorious mob-type Arab, Eddie Nash (Eric Bogosian) and his drug-addicted, crime buddies played with vigor by Josh Lucas, Tim Blake Nelson and an unrecognizable Dylan McDermott, as David Lind.

Spiraling out of control, John begins to pimp out his lover, teenage Dawn Schiller (Kate Bosworth), but when this does not bring enough drugs to compliment his habit, John then hatches a plan with his drug buddies to rob Eddie Nash of considerable drugs and money stashed in Nash's home. Fast forward to June 1981, and John arrives at Nash's home to pick up drugs to street peddle. John excuses himself to the kitchen and unlocks the door to give the burglars access. That night, the gang invades the home of Eddie Nash and makes away with an estimated $1.2 million in drugs, cash and jewellery. The repercussions of John's actions would lead to multiple murders and one of L.A.'s most notorious unsolved crimes.

Wonderland is a slightly better than average film with an above average cast. James Cox had an incredible factual story as to base his screenplay, and is honest enough to tell the story through two sets of eyes (Holmes and Lind), making no assumptions as to the involvement of Holmes in the actual murders. What is unfortunate is how the movie does not work as a sum of all its parts. It's as if the director knew he had a story, but didn't know what direction he wanted to take in order to tell it. It's part rock and roll fantasy, part drug induced paranoia and then it changes pace into a robbery/heist/murder mystery with the police trying to illicit a confession out of John as to the involvement of himself and the other players. We spend the first quarter of the movie through the confession of David Lind and his speculations and the last quarter through the off record report from John Holmes. In between, there is a story of love, failed marriage and a star on the brink of supernova that distracts us from what we have to come back crashing to at the films conclusion.

That said, anyone who has read the book ‘Four on the Floor' or watched the E! True Hollywood Story knows that it would be hard to craft a film from such a fascinating chain of events. There are so many interesting characters and developments in the Wonderland murders (no one was ever charged for the crime) that compacting it into a two-hour film would seem almost impossible or unfair. Maybe that is why the superior Boogie Nights played so well. It represented a fictional account of the circumstances around a porn star turned drug addict, but did it with a flare of knowing when to introduce a new character or tragedy without having to owe homage to a true event. Still, Wonderland is a good experiment and will definitely not bore you even if you are still not aware as to the impact John Holmes had on generations thirty years ago.

Takes a controversial chapter in L.A. crime history and fails to do it justice.

[BA_Harrison · 5/10 · 26 September 2014]

As much as I vehemently dislike Mark Wahlberg, I do admit to loving Boogie Nights, in which the Funky Bunch singer played Dirk Diggler, a character loosely based on legendary porn-star John Holmes. Brilliantly directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film boasted a sharp script, excellent performances from a talented cast (Wahlberg aside), and a great soundtrack, and perfectly captured the sleaze and decadence of the adult movie industry in L.A. during the early '80s.

Wonderland, directed by James Cox, attempts to pull off the same trick, charting Holmes' post-porn involvement in an infamous gangland multiple homicide case; like Boogie Nights, it features a terrific ensemble cast, and effectively evokes the era through its amazing soundtrack, but the film proves a far less satisfying experience overall thanks to a script that proves frustratingly inconclusive, a raft of largely unlikeable characters (the only exception being Holmes' wife, played by Lisa Kudrow), and a glut of gimmicky film-making techniques that simply smacks of desperation.