Miserable `Wonderful'

Directed by Anthony Minghella; starring Annabella Sciorra, William Hurt, Matt Dillon and Mary Louise Parker; Warner Brothers; rated PG-13

Even with the best ingredients some recipes turn out inedible, but it's truly amazing that this one got spoiled. Whatever attracted a fine array of talented actors to this material remains a mystery. Either the shortage of decent scripts in Hollywood has become that desperate, or times have become that tough.

In "Mr. Wonderful" Matt Dillon plays Gus, a New York City electrical worker with Con Edison, and Annabella Sciorra plays his ex-wife Leonora, who left him so she could make something of herself and now attends college. The two have since moved on to other love interests; Leonora, known as Lee, has been seeing her English professor (William Hurt), and Gus has been contemplating moving in with his devoted girl-friend, Rita (Mary Louise Parker) Contact between Gus and Lee is typically unamicable, filled with mutual accusations concerning who brought about the failure of their marriage. Their squabbles can't conceal that these two are bound to fall for each other inthe end.

When Gus becomes interested in renovating andreopening an abandoned bowling alley with four ofhis friends but is unable to contribute his shareof the down payment, the idea dawns on him that ifLee were to get married he could keep the alimonymoney for himself. Gus' inept but supposedlyhumorous matchmaking occupies the core of themovie. When Gus is first persuading Lee to consentto a date which he sets up, he is mistaken by awoman in the park for 'Mr. Wonderful,' a man froma matchmaking ad whom she, ('Funny Face'), waswaiting to meet. The film takes its name from thiscutesy, artificial scene, and perhaps rightly so,for the meandering plot and cloying writing onlybecome more obvious as the film progresses.

As directed by Anthony Minghella, whose mostrecent work is "Truly, Madly, Deeply," Mr.Wonderful" lightly brushes over too manystereotypical scenarios and characters to eversurpass cliche. The movie mentions--thenskirts--Lee's embarassment about their Italianupbringing in the 'neighborhood.' The script alsoleaves William Hurt no opportunity to ressurrecthis character from painful one-dimensionality.Hurt plays a pompous and self-centered professorwho dates his students, but happens to be marriedas well. The movie gives no source for hisdetached air besides the fact that he isannoyingly over-cultured.

Several of the characters are playedconvincingly by the able cast. Annabella Sciorrabrings the same warmth and sweetness to Lee thatshe has to past roles, and Matt Dillon gives afine performance in what is one of his first trueleading roles. Mary Louise Parker also gives agood turn as Gus' wistful and weepy girlfriend,who almost makes their relationship work. VincentD'Onofrio is especially good as Lee's nearlysuccessful match. Maybe Lee gives up because ofhis oh-so-romantic croons like, "I'm completelygaga over you." The film wastes so much time ongimmicky matchmaking and extraneous scenes thateven the inevitable finale seems forced.

"Mr. Wonderful" does revel in the visualsplendor of New York City, from the botanicalgardens to some gorgeous outdoor cafes, in itsattempt to create a romantic setting. But eventhese niceties can't hide the fact that "Mr.Wonderful" just isn't