Review: "Wilson"

by Spencer Coile

Daniel Clowes struck gold in 2001 when he wrote the screenpay for Ghost World, an adaptation of his graphic novel of the same name. Telling the story of self-identified outcast Enid (Thora Birch), his first screenplay toyed with themes pertaining to isolation, the dissolution of friendships, and lots and lots of teen angst. It was relatable and altogether melancholic, but importantly-- it all worked. Drawing from his own work (no pun intended), Clowes pulled together some all-too-familiar film tropes, and managed to subvert them in thoughtful and oftentimes amusing ways. After a return to the screen with another adaptation of his own work, Art School Confidential in 2006, Clowes layed low, working primarily on writing/drawing and short films. He's back with Wilson, now in theaters, pairing with The Skeleton Twins director Craig Johnson, for another foray into the hilariously damaged human spirit...

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YNMS: "Wilson"

Chris here. Next year has more than enough to offer with comic book adaptations, but here's a first look at something outside of the superhero variety. From Daniel Clowes's graphic novel, Wilson stars Woody Harrelson as a rascally buffoon partnering up with an ex-wife (Laura Dern) to find the daughter she had put up for adoption. Fans of Clowes's Ghost World and Art School Confidential (both the films and graphic novels) can expect some off-kilter humor and sharp character study - with The Skeleton Twins director Craig Johnson taking the directing reigns from Terry Zwigoff.

Take a look at the NSFW trailer and our YNMS thoughts after the jump...

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