Next Stop Wonderland (1998)

In a time-worn formula, Next Stop Wonderland thrusts its two sympathetic characters into the same hellish dating world, forever one step away from meeting each other, until destiny finally gives them a break. While this structure grows cloying in some films, such as 1997's 'Til There Was You, here it's redeemed by an indie talkiness that makes the whole outing more cerebral than a typical romantic comedy might. But it's still light on its feet, due both to the naturalistic writing and the influence of the two charming leads, Hope Davis and Alan Gelfant. Their earnest goodness is actually fun to watch, and it underscores the shallowness of the other specimens in the dating pool, only slightly caricatured for effect. There's some good screwball humor here, too -- a lot of the minimal drama surrounds whether Gelfant's goodhearted marine biologist should whack a fish. Director Brad Anderson brings Boston, where the film was shot, to vivid life, setting several scenes in haunts that are popular with real Boston twentysomethings. The film's title comes from a station on the blue line of Boston's subway system, otherwise known as "the T." ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide